Gender and Sexuality Discourse Analysis In Secondary School’s Thai Textbooks

Abstract

          This thesis focuses on gender and sexuality discourse analysis in “Wiwitthaphasa”, the textbooks in Thai subject for secondary school 1-3 of the basic education core curriculum B.E. 2551, by textual analysis to research discourse construction that is based on Michel Foucault’s theory; “Knowledge is power”. Although “Wiwitthaphasa” textbooks contain newly written texts with the plots, scenes and some characters’ paradigm reflecting the globalization, this research found that Thai traditional “male has power over female, and female’s gender and sexuality are more controlled than male’s” concepts in gender and sexuality influenced by Patriarchy and Victorian value are reproduced. Besides, the discourses of “gentlemanly male and ladylike female” ideology strongly promoted to Thai people by Prime Minister Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram are also reproduced in “Wiwitthaphasa” textbooks. Furthermore, only heterosexuality is acknowledged in “Wiwitthaphasa” textbooks, while homosexuality is ignored.