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Published on December 1, 2007

Ratings never lie and they show that soap operas - or lakhon nam nao (literally "polluted water drama") - have struck a chord with the majority of the audience nationwide.

As the country's politics is at a crossroads, you may wonder whether political news and talk programmes will win some share of the public's interest. It has definitely yet to do so, as the "polluted water dramas" continue to be the favourite regardless of the cut-throat competition going on in local politics.

Having followed both soap operas and the political (stunt) shows lately, I guess I understand why the majority of the public prefers watching these shows to following political movements. Here are my own observations on why prime-time "nam nao" receives a better response than the politics that will determine the country's future.

First, you can easily identify heroes and villains at first glance in a soap opera because every one is produced in an audience friendly manner. As a result, you will be able to tell the hero and villain apart from the moment you tune in - they act so differently from everyone else and so clearly look the part that everything is obvious.

In politics, especially during the election campaign, candidates appear as one: they act similarly, dress alike, and echo one another's words. They come from all over with the same goal: to serve the people (read: to get their votes). Unlike the TV show, you have to take your time to hand pick the best from a bad bunch.

Come to think of it, Samak Sundaravej could be a hero if you perceive him as a champion of democracy. He is against the tanks and the coup, which are definitely not part of a democratic path. But when you think that he was once on the military's side and only changed his colours to serve as a nominee for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, then he is not quite the hero of your dreams.

Second, you can miss a few episodes of your favourite show and still follow the story line. During the show, you can go to the restroom, have your dinner or talk with your sweetheart. Watching politics is not quite the same: you may blink at your own risk.

For instance if you want to know whether Banharn Silapa-archa will join the People Power Party or the Democrat Party to form the next government, you must first learn what he said last month, what he said yesterday, what he is saying now, and guess what he'll say tomorrow. Even if you've got all the answers, chances are that you will remain clueless.

Third, characters in soap operas are far more diverse than our political cast.

Don't you think that the main characters in politics are quite boring? Take Samak, he has been around for ages. A younger generation of politicians has joined the scene but the old crop - the likes of Banharn, Sanan Kachornprasart, Snoh Thienthong and Chalerm Yoobamrung - remains in the driver's seat.

At least when veteran actors return they take on secondary roles and leave the limelight to the new generation. Veteran politicians however are so stubborn that they just refuse to leave centre stage.

Fourth, at least actresses have a fair share of the roles in each drama. In soap operas, actresses play either equal or more prominent roles than their male counterparts. They are in the driver's seat when it comes to taking the audience through the story.

It is not quite the same in the male-dominated world of politics and that is perhaps why Leena Jangjanya has found her niche in campaigning for the equality of women in politics. Sceptics wonder if she says the right things for the wrong reasons, but at least she managed to steal the show, albeit very briefly.

With the exception of Sudarat Keyuraphan, women hardly play a prominent role in politics. Female politicians may serve their parents and husbands as substitutes. Take Somsak Thepsuthin's wife Anongwan, the secretary-general of the Matchima Thipataya Party for example. If Somsak had not been banned from politics, she would not have taken the key position in a political power.

Fifth, all cast members are clearly visible in soap operas. Chatchai Plengpanich is clearly the only one playing the role of Khun Prajin on Channel 3's "Preuksa Sawaad".

Politics doesn't work that way. When a man is talking, you never know if he is really expressing his own ideas or whether he is acting as a nominee for someone else.

Strangely enough, the man who is invisible can be very "visible" in people's thoughts. You feel his presence, know what he is up to, talk about him, and even vote for him without him being within sight.

Last but not least, I should also note that the heroes and heroines in soap operas always receive justice. That is why they please the Thai audience, as it shows the rule of karma in effect. Villains are punished for their bad karma. In politics, you will have to wait for the bad guy to be punished, and you could spend an entire lifetime waiting.

So, it seems it is best to take refuge from dull politics by watching soap operas. Just indulge yourself for the time being to get ready for even worse politics after the election - with the same cast members and similar actions as last time, of course.

Veena Thoopkrajae

The Nation