After the 2026 general election, social media feeds were not just filled with government formation formulas or seat count calculations. Equally viral was the image of Anutin Charnvirakul and Yotsanan Wongsawat holding hands at a coalition press conference, edited like a series poster. Meanwhile, TikTok youth randomly selected prime ministerial candidates and playfully debated who is the “seme” and who is the “uke” in Thai politics.
The question is why politics in this era is increasingly interpreted through yaoi culture, from fandoms within the same party to cross-faction pairings, adding a colorful parallel dimension to the heated political landscape.
Partly because Thailand is dubbed the “capital of yaoi series.” The success of BL and GL content has ingrained the seme (dominant) and uke (submissive) relational grammar deeply into popular culture, no longer limited to traditional gender frameworks. With this mindset as a daily lens, politics can be easily read through power dynamics—who controls the game, who consents, and who must negotiate.
The image of tough senior politicians clashing with passionate young politicians naturally overlays a narrative plot. Political tension is reinterpreted as familiar role-based relationships for the audience.
This phenomenon is not new. Some young people have moved from being mere supporters to becoming stans of politicians. We often see lightstick signs at rallies, trending hashtags, and the creation of memes and graphics supporting favored politicians.
Politics thus becomes a space for parasocial relationships between politicians and followers, akin to artist-fan dynamics, making followers feel emotionally connected to representatives beyond ideological choice. Modern political communication teams recognize this dynamic, offering fan service such as posting couple photos and casually engaging with comments, because engagement can translate into real political power.
A clear example is Theerathat Samretwanit and Jiraporn Sinthuprai, whose "P’Im N’Nam" fanbase actively supports their field campaigns and shares encouraging content for both individuals and their party. Jiraporn herself acknowledges her follower base is getting younger and is glad that young people show more interest in politics, believing it will help them learn about politics while having fun.
Similar cases exist abroad, like the “Resci” fandom in the Netherlands, naming Jesse Klaver, former GreenLeft party leader, and Rob Jetten, the youngest prospective prime minister. Although both deny a personal relationship, moments in parliament and TV shows have been edited into clips with millions of views. Some fans believe such edits help engage young people in politics.
Relationship psychologists explain that in politically stressful contexts, people feel warmth when those in power show gentleness toward each other. These images humanize politics and temporarily soften the rigid structures of power.
In recent years, Thai society has faced economic uncertainty and prolonged conflicts. Consuming straightforward political news can unknowingly lead to burnout. Recasting prime ministerial candidates in gentler roles acts as a filter that makes the newsfeed easier to digest.
Labeling politicians as seme or uke is thus a process that turns politics into accessible pop culture. Shipping does not imply trivializing politics; rather, it can be an emotional motivation for people to stay engaged without being overwhelmed by disappointment or conflict. The softer images make politicians appear more human than mere positions or power structures.
However, some “Resci” fandom members counter that enjoyment should not overshadow facts—both personal lives and public roles. Shipping should be based on respect and not reduce scrutiny of policies or performance. Ultimately, shipping should be a way to follow and engage with politics happily without losing sight of reality.
ReferencesSanook,Business Insider
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