Kathoey monks’ representation in Thai-language news coverage

Abstract

Given the historical proscription of gender-nonconforming individuals (paṇḍaka) in Thai Buddhism, kathoey monks are a recurring, sensationalized media topic. This study examines the under-analyzed linguistic representation of these monks, termed luang che, in contemporary Thai-language news coverage. Employing queer linguistics in discourse studies, a qualitative content analysis of 24 news articles reveals a consistent narrative. Kathoey monks are represented through three interconnected frames: deviance, criminality, and punishment. Their non-normative gender identity is systematically linked to alleged misconduct, sensationalizing monastic violations into a public spectacle subsequently framed as a criminal offense. The predictable conclusion is public defrocking and legal prosecution. This study argues that such media spectacles construct kathoey monks as figures of transgression, satisfying public appetite for scandal while purging the institution of perceived impurities. This process reinforces the cisgender heteronormative ideals of the Thai Sangha.

Keywords

media representation queer linguistics discourse analysis Thai Buddhism gender and religion

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