Teenage drama adds maturity to Thai television

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EDITORIAL
Teenage drama adds maturity to Thai television
The Nation

A high-quality series on the satellite platform demonstrates that local audiences might be ready for something different

BANGKOK: -- School bullying, student brawls and adolescent sex are frequently in the news in Thailand. Yet such topics remain almost taboo on Thai television. Maybe these issues are just too tough to dramatise while heeding the censor's limitations. Perhaps it's the possibility that they will flop commercially, but this hardly seems feasible. Whatever the reason, the scarcity of such subject matter doesn't mean there is no room for it, or for it to be critically successful.

The truth is that a good programme will find its viewers and vice versa. This has happened with "Hormones: The Series" on the GMM One Channel. The drama revolves around the lives of nine high-school students. It is unprecedented that a show on satellite TV cuts into the dominance of the soaps on the free channels. Last week it set a new record, coming in third in the ratings for its airtime, behind heavyweight Channels 3 and 7.

Perhaps the series is blessed by its own "limitations". Director Songyos Sugmakanan had to produce a type of show that can't be found on free TV. His choice was a milder version of his favourite British series, "The Skins". With good-looking cast members, fine cinematography and a solid script, the series has struck a chord with viewers.

"Hormones" was a hit soon after its debut two months ago. Viewers, it seems, want something different, and the series meets that demand by touching on teen problems as close to reality as is possible on TV.

Foregoing any preaching, "Hormones" has become a favourite among teens, and strangely enough has been well received by parents too, many of whom encounter eye-opening revelations. It explains why GMM One has recorded spiralling viewership in the 10-19 and 40-49 age brackets, with the latter group increasing at more than double the rate of the younger group.

The limitation of its satellite broadcast platform is not really a disadvantage. The series can also be viewed on YouTube, where its audience has steadily risen to more than 200,000. And yesterday GTH added another channel to its iOS application.

"Hormones" opens the question of whether there is any "limitation" to TV dramas in Thailand. Songyos' TV debut might have increased hope that satellite TV shows can be a more mainstream success if they meet people's expectations. The show started humbly, with only one sponsor, but there were eight for the latest episode. Media buyers have turned their attention to the series because it's the talk of the town. The series is mentioned all over the social media too. Its hashtag #HormoneTheSeries dominates the Twitter airwaves every Saturday during its broadcast. In fact, it has eclipsed many shows on terrestrial TV.

If "Hormones" can achieve this level of success on satellite, so can other TV productions on non-terrestrial platforms. The success of this "unconventional content" signals that viewers are hungry for creative ideas, something other than actresses staging catfights in predictable soap operas.

Maybe the wind of change has started to blow, bringing quality programming that finally reaches and attracts audiences. Producers should take note: controversial, thought-provoking content might be what people are looking for. They will no longer be mere couch potatoes waiting to be fed clichés because they have great alternatives on other platforms, waiting at their fingertips.

-- The Nation 2013-07-17

[NongKhaiKid]

Maturity and Thai TV are not words I would expect to see in the same headline.

[Considered Opinion]

Certainly not with the current problem getting folk to take responsibility for their bad decisions.

[Zolt]

A farting contest would add maturity to Thai TV.

[ChrisY1]

If this show has any semblance to maturity, it will no doubt soon be banned!

[Bluespunk]

They will no longer be mere couch potatoes waiting to be fed clichés because they have great alternatives on other platforms, waiting at their fingertips.

I think you will still be a couch potato if you are watching more tv.

[Payboy]

Maybe the wind of change has started to blow

Something is blowing alright, but it aint wind.

[trainman34014]

The only way they would add 'maturity' to Thai TV is scrap almost the entire programming on all the state channels and start showing intelligent programs instead of the garbage that is served up daily. Even the news on all channels is a cops&robbers half hour or political meeting showcase, both which fail to educate the masses in any way.

Whenever i see any programs featuring young people; lets say 18-30, they are in the main acting like 10-12 year old's, coy, shy and dopey. Either that or they are screaming, fighting, crying and being general idiots in one way or another. How can these people ever hope to 'GROW UP ?'

[IBoldnewguy]

They will no longer be mere couch potatoes waiting to be fed clichés because they have great alternatives on other platforms, waiting at their fingertips.

I think you will still be a couch potato if you are watching more tv.

The quoted sentence has absolutely no meaning - this reporter should immigrate to US - he would have a bright future writing political speeches.

Edited July 17, 2013 by IBoldnewguy

[Bluespunk]

They will no longer be mere couch potatoes waiting to be fed clichés because they have great alternatives on other platforms, waiting at their fingertips.

I think you will still be a couch potato if you are watching more tv.

The quoted sentence has absolutely no meaning - this reporter should immigrate to US - he would have a bright future writing political speeches.

Not just the USA.

[NongKhaiKid]

The only way they would add 'maturity' to Thai TV is scrap almost the entire programming on all the state channels and start showing intelligent programs instead of the garbage that is served up daily. Even the news on all channels is a cops&robbers half hour or political meeting showcase, both which fail to educate the masses in any way.

Whenever i see any programs featuring young people; lets say 18-30, they are in the main acting like 10-12 year old's, coy, shy and dopey. Either that or they are screaming, fighting, crying and being general idiots in one way or another. How can these people ever hope to 'GROW UP ?'

Years back some idiot politician suggested Thailand could make a lot of money by selling their soap operas to other Asia countries where they could be dubbed.

Considering YL's suggestion of " Thainess " overseas it would have been a great advert for the nation to see the luxury houses with the conniving wife, the screaming bitch daughter and the always handsome and sensible son and the ordinary house with the drunk husband and abused wife. All the mainstay of the same soap, different name and channel.

One of Thailand's better exports I don't think.

[Sayonarax]

All i hear is women throwing hissy fits and having a tantrum on thai soapies.. really annoying on the ears.

[NongKhaiKid]

All i hear is women throwing hissy fits and having a tantrum on thai soapies.. really annoying on the ears.

Nothing beats " art " imitating life

[klauskunkel]

Anything that could even remotely lead to independent thinking or questioning is taboo. Thai audiences are spoonfed predigested TV crap that teaches them how to act properly in Thai society, accepting the status quo and above all not to rock the boat.

[PatOngo]

The only way they would add 'maturity' to Thai TV is scrap almost the entire programming on all the state channels and start showing intelligent programs instead of the garbage that is served up daily. Even the news on all channels is a cops&robbers half hour or political meeting showcase, both which fail to educate the masses in any way.

Whenever i see any programs featuring young people; lets say 18-30, they are in the main acting like 10-12 year old's, coy, shy and dopey. Either that or they are screaming, fighting, crying and being general idiots in one way or another. How can these people ever hope to 'GROW UP ?'

Years back some idiot politician suggested Thailand could make a lot of money by selling their soap operas to other Asia countries where they could be dubbed.

Considering YL's suggestion of " Thainess " overseas it would have been a great advert for the nation to see the luxury houses with the conniving wife, the screaming bitch daughter and the always handsome and sensible son and the ordinary house with the drunk husband and abused wife. All the mainstay of the same soap, different name and channel.

One of Thailand's better exports I don't think.

You forgot the ladyboy.

[Pomthai]

A muted still photo (even a cartoon one) of a 2 day old baby would add maturity to Thai TV.

[Freedomfighter]

Great comments and insight perceptions.

Thai TV in my mind reflects the

Thainess that Yingdum wishes to export around the globe.Immaturity, selfishness, xenophobia, ethnic prejudices, completely unreal characters, and g--damn those annoying, talent-less, cant act out of a paper back hacks. Go ahead, kill the goose whose laid the golden egg( tourism) Id love to see that bottom fall out Thailand, then what? Soon Pattaya will have a Russian Tsar running the place.

On 2nd thought, how about a Fuhrer? They love theirs down at Chula University,

totally self absorbed nimrods most of this populace.

[falangjim]

Intelligent Thai TV can only be found on Thai PBS.

The rest is utter crapola. I can see the current networks approaching the topic of bullying with blow whistle sound effects and canned laughter. Complete trash is the current state of Thai TV programming.

Edited July 17, 2013 by falangjim

[ETatBKK]

Whenever i see any programs featuring young people; lets say 18-30, they are in the main acting like 10-12 year old's, coy, shy and dopey. Either that or they are screaming, fighting, crying and being general idiots in one way or another. How can these people ever hope to 'GROW UP ?'

no, they are not ACTING ! they are a kind of role model for the teen today, yet these Teen will be in the workplace 10 to 20 years from now, and they will remember all these screaming, crying, fighting . . . and they will act like this !

if you have kids, better shut down these channels !

[ihunnieibee]

I've been watching this series and I think it's quite good.

If you can't understand Thai someone has uploaded them with English subs on YouTube.

It is a lot better than those typical Lakorn you may see on other channels.

If you haven't watched it yet you should at least try watching one episode.

[lee b]

Why not, right or wrong its part of everyday life

[loong]

I have not seen this program, but I hope by maturity, they mean that it doesn't have all the stupid cartoon sound effects that almost every Thai soap seems to have.

Family is watching one of these now and all the bells, whistles and whoop whoop whoop sound effects drive me crazy!

[ginjag]

Why not, right or wrong its part of everyday life

Maybe it is in everyday life but not on this scale. it's never ending bowel movements. everyday life here then is Benz/BMW, mansions, all the latest gadgets white faces and pin-up boys with Hi So mothers---SICK

MY take on this is putting a very bad impression onto the young of Thailand into making them think it's normal to be fighting every minute. spoiled brats are most of the cast. no wonder things here are like they are if Thai are to follow these antics.

[tominbkk]

I really liked the first two seasons of Skins from the UK. I doubt they get a tenth as racy in the Thai version, but still, if they are tackling real issues involving youth then it is a move forward for sure.

[Bagwan]

They will no longer be mere couch potatoes waiting to be fed clichés because they have great alternatives on other platforms, waiting at their fingertips.

I think you will still be a couch potato if you are watching more tv.

The quoted sentence has absolutely no meaning - this reporter should immigrate to US - he would have a bright future writing political speeches. alt=clap2.gif width=31 height=25>

Until American TV fries his brain.