Thailand has problems with the content of its Thai dramas or soaps. I have never set foot in a country where the content of shows is so bad, demeaning, idolizing drinking, fighting and even rape.

This is one such example. A soap opera titled “Dao Puan Din”, which is unofficially translated as “Tainted Star” airs each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. I can tell you that Thais are glued to this programme and do not like being disturbed while watching it, I know as my girlfriend will not move.

The content of this show is pathetic and degrading, but sadly it is stereotypical as almost all other dramas shown on Thai TV have the same plots. This is a brief plot of Tainted Star.

Rinlada is the name of the lead character played by the beautiful Araya Hargett or her nickname is Chompoo, does not hesitate to do bad, bad things to her nemesis, Uamdao, the central character of the story. Rinalda goes about trying to steal her boyfriends (this is the main plot for every TV drama though). Rinalda is a step daughter who feels inferior and goes about making life hell for everyone.

The show is now coming to an end and for the final episode the Thai producers have come up with an ending to end all endings. The character is going to be raped by 12 men. The producer has defended the decision for the end of the soap.

The production crew was trying to convince the audience that Rindala “deserves” her fate. Her father was jailed; she was brought into a family in which everybody loves Uamdao the main character. Rinlada took at least two of Uamdao’s boyfriends and would kill anyone who got in her way.

The most interesting words come from the actress, who plays Rinlada. She was quoted in saying “The soap ends in the way it should. A bad girl deserves bad things. Rinlada will face gang rape to ensure a “happy ending” to this soap.”

This is what the main actress has said. How can any girl deserve to be raped by 12 men no matter how “bad” they have been? Thai soaps are filled with women being raped or attempted rape by men who are usually intoxicated or obnoxious chauvinistic pigs.

In another Thai drama called Sawan Beang. This was a 12 part drama that was just shown on screens in Thailand.

The main character is played by a superstar and heartthrob Theeradej Wongpuapan. In this drama after a roller coaster ride his character rapes the lead female’s character. He then ends up marrying her in the final episode. How could this be reality? No one with any common sense knows this would happen but many Thais think it is possible.

Don’t forget Thai laws when it comes to rape, the law has been amended just of late but a husband still cannot be charged with raping his wife. They are a married couple and no matter if he forces himself on her, he cannot be prosecuted.

Raping a minor the rapist can ask the parents for the girl’s hand in marriage, if they agree then he won’t be charged with rape of a minor. He compensates the family with a sum of money and happily goes about his life.

Thai television’s content is terrible, repetitious crap. It needs to be cleaned up and offer more positive role models for teenagers and young girls. The portraying of lead men as rich, despicable, drunk, pigheaded men with everything they need in the world needs to change. Male characters have to be portrayed in a positive way, not gun carrying money hungry fools, high on power.

I am sure other countries TV content has similar problems and I would like to here what they are from you.