Porranee Singpliam
in ร่างทรงเกย์ หมอดูกะเทย สบงหลากสี ความหลากหลายทางเพศในศาสนาและพิธีกรรมสมัยใหม่ (Queer rights and rainbow robes: Sexual and gender diversity in Thai religion and modern ritual), Narupon Duangwises, Peter A. Jackson, and Visisya Pinthongvijayakul (eds.)
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center, Bangkok, Thailand
About the chapter: The chapter examines Thai society’s expectations towards Thai males, masculine duties, and Buddhist ordination. In Thailand, the society and the culture expect that those who were born as males, and who are Buddhists, should ordain at least once in their lifetime. How do Thai gay men feel about this duty? This chapter takes a closer look at the lived experiences of gay men and their attitudes towards Buddhist ordination. In-depth interviews were conducted amongst gay men and monks in the urban city that is Bangkok. The results show that the duty can be regarded as burdensome for some Thai gay men, and they find ways to substitute that duty emphasizing materialism within the society. It shows the heightened capitalistic character of the society where the substitutions are both materialistic and monetary, and ordination ceremonies themselves require material resources.
About the author: Porranee Singpliam is a HYI Visiting Scholar from 2024-25.