Understanding Thai Animation Narratives

To date, there has been a lack of academic writing on Thai animation; this essay provides a timely survey and analysis of the subject. The author observes that Japanese/Western narrative styles seem to influence the development of Thai animation. However, her goal is to highlight that increasingly, the local culture is beginning to bear weight on the current and future progress of Thai animation. Indeed, Buddhism and the local mix of cultural beliefs and values, including environmentalism, are being expressed in the narrative contents of Thai animation. By discussing the cultural idiosyncrasies and contradictions inherent in Thai society, the author also self-reflects on her pedagogic experience in Thailand and aspiration of encouraging the students to create and improve upon their storytelling skills besides attaining the technical know-how. She argues that there are emergent narrative alternatives in comparison to the dominantly ideological ones, with the former having the potential to shape a promising future for Thai animation.