“Maen Pa Laew Ja Sot Hai Mot Mo Mae Pla Mo Tom Khem Phee Tem Ha” (I have a strong desire for you. Once I meet you, I will savor the taste of every part of your body) Food and Women in the Thai Literature of the Early Rattanakosin Period

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the relationship among women, food and sex in three pieces of Thai literature written in the Early Rattanakosin Period. The study found that food serves as a metaphor for women, copulation, and desire and other emotions, especially when women and sexual intercourse are compared to food or the tastes of food, a striking characteristic which sets the literature of the Early Rattanakosin Period apart from the literature of previous periods. The aforementioned relationship, however, does not imply
disparagement or devaluation of women. On the contrary, women are valued and honored for their taking a crucial role in providing great happiness to fulfil men and for their wisdom and abilities. Women’s charms, therefore, are related to the characteristics and the roles of women as determined by society. This also reflects a culture where although men have a higher status, they value women as well.