Mhom Ped Sawan

The story of closeted lesbians in ancient history

Unlike many historical dramas that dive into politics and betrayal, Mhom Ped Sawan takes a refreshing turn of exploring the issue of เล่นเพื่อน, or ‘len pheuan'. This term translates to ‘playing with friends’ that refers to the intimate female companion or, in easy words, the lesbianism. Set in the 18th-century Rattanakosin era, this series follows a typical template of Thai historical drama with some politics, strong misogyny and sexism, but with a sapphic and gay twist. For those unfamiliar, ‘Mhom Ped Sawan’ is an ancient story penned by Khun Suwan, a well-known poet from that time.

The series takes a wider look at how same-sex relationships were perceived and accepted in that time period, along with the complexities of love across different social classes, particularly within the palace walls and its social circles. It also highlights the presence of LGBT allies during that era. While the series is more focused on drama, it still has some interesting moments of romance and the tension that come with it. But with 30 episodes, some plots are a bit draggy and repetitive.

One worth noting feature of this series is its skillful incorporation of Thai culture throughout the plots. The elements of poetry, literature, dance and play, cuisine, and palace etiquette are beautifully represented through the characters and their arcs.

When it comes to acting, all the cast members did a fantastic job. If there's one problem, it's Film and Tubtim’s chemistry. While their individual performances are good, their on-screen chemistry isn’t strong enough. Some scenes come off as a bit detached and lack the warmth you'd expect from lovers. In contrast, Princess Vilas and Khun Suwan's chemistry stand out more. Their companionship is endearing, and even though they’re not romantically linked, their dynamic is way more fulfilling than Mom Kham and Mom Sud.

This series has a good production quality and stays consistent from the first episode all the way through. But one drawback, in my opinion, is the use of camera angles and certain framing for the kiss and intimate scenes between Mom Kham and Mom Sud rather than showcasing the real kiss/performances. I wonder if this was done for the actresses' comfort, perhaps due to their inexperience with such scenes, (which I doubted that was the case), or if it was the director's choice or the channel's restriction. But regardless, it really detracts from the authenticity and believability of their relationship and undermines the emotional depth of their characters.

Despite its LGBT+ theme, it’s quite noticeable that this series is crafted through a hetero lens. But taking into account the cultural context, the time and place setting, and the target audience of ThaiPBS, the overall execution is quite good. While certain aspects of the storyline may falter, it’s still a good drama for those who like historical drama with less complicated palace politics.

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