UNVEILING THE MYTH OF LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONG BISEXUAL AND SAME-SEX CHARACTERS IN THE THAI FILM, WIMAN NAM

Abstract

The main plot of the highly successful Thai film Wiman Nam (2024), or The Paradise of Thorns, directed by Naruebeth Kuno, revolves around the tragic love and relationships of durian farmers in Mae Hong Son province. The key characters include two gay men, a bisexual man, a heterosexual woman, and an elderly disabled woman. This article aims to explore the dimensions of love and relationships among these characters, with a focus on deconstructing the myths surrounding the love and relationships of individuals with diverse sexual orientations. The study employs textual analysis, drawing on concepts such as representation, semiotics, and gender theory. The findings reveal that these characters, navigating their lives amidst sexual diversity and the intersecting factors of Northern Thai tribal ethnicity and working-class status, experience love and relationships significantly shaped by non-normative sexual dynamics. These dynamics are further shaped by material factors such as money, personal gain, and legal constraints, which take precedence over emotional attachment and commitment as romantic partners. Within this context, heterosexual relationships and familial ties bound by blood maintain a legally superior status over same-sex relationships. Moreover, the filmmaker implies that faith in the power of love may alleviate suffering and personal crises caused by greed and the exploitation of relationships. The film also raises viewers' awareness about the importance of safeguarding the rights and equality of diverse individuals in family life.