Sit Still, Look Proper: Women’s Rights in Thailand
Growing up, I was constantly reminded to behave like a proper lady. While sitting, I had to keep my legs perfectly pressed next to each other, my hands resting dutifully on my lap. During formal conversations, I had to speak lightly and smile passively in response to remarks by others. When attending events, I had to wear clothes that were deemed an appropriate length and were considered not “too revealing”.
Instilled in me by those around me was the idea that women needed to act docile in order to be respected--I learned that I would have to restrain my actions to fit into the frames created by Thai society, and that doing so was essential in order for me to find success later in life. I believed that if I did not conform to these norms, I would be considered a “maa deed khaloak” (which translates to impolite woman in English), and would be stigmatized by society.
Subconsciously, these notions were further exacerbated by the mass media that I consumed. From advertisements that reinforced the concept of women belonging solely in the household, to meticulously groomed leading ladies in Thai dramas that served only as accessories to their male counterparts, my brain unconsciously accepted the belief that women play a secondary role in society.
From attending an international school and learning about other cultures, I developed an understanding that the Thai stance on gender inequality was backwards and lacking because of the cultural emphasis on appearing docile. However, to my surprise, Thailand could be considered as quite progressive in terms of gender equality when viewed in the context of historical timelines. As the second country in the world to grant women’s suffrage, Thailand has granted a great deal of female autonomy for a lengthy period of time already. Additionally, the laws in place at the present time guarantee equal rights for women in practically every aspect of life.
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From this discovery, I came to the understanding that gender inequality in Thailand currently persists at not a legislative level, but at a cultural level. While opportunities for both genders are provided and supported on a relatively equal basis due to existing laws, the culture still pressures women into presenting themselves in a certain manner. This nuanced situation allows observers to understand that achieving gender equality is a work in progress; it takes time to dismantle each layer of systemic inequality, and most countries--like Thailand-- still have layers left unremoved.
Although this post focuses specifically on Thailand, I think it is important to recognize and remember that disparities of treatment between genders remains a global issue. My experiences outlined in my introduction are hardly unique--these detrimental cultural norms have perpetuated the households of young women across my country, with many similar practices taking place across the world. Although on paper, there are protections that ensure people of all genders receive equal rights, the patriarchy remains entrenched in many cultures. Consequently, the struggle for equitable treatment continues.
However, even though it may seem daunting, I believe that we can all take comfort in the thought that our battles are no longer fought alone--the innovation of digital platforms has enabled us to connect with each other and all be united on one front, allowing us to amplify the voices of women from all across the globe. Hopefully, in our horizons, there will come a day where our advocacy is no longer necessary.
