ABSTRACT This article examines the gendered bodies and practices of male and female leaders in politically unstable, conflict-ridden Thailand between 2006 and 2019. In a country where the number of military coups has surged to twenty-two attempts (whether successful or unsuccessful) since 1932, the latest military-led coup by Gen. Prayudth Chan-Osha presents another threat to the stability of the country’s democracy. In response to public unease, Gen. Prayudth Chan-Osha projects himself as a source of Thai national strength and stability; to promote an optimistic public outlook, the general puts his martial masculinity and his militaristic physicality on public display. Culturally informed concepts of ‘good/strong’ male corporeality and its ‘bad/weak’ female countertype enable General Prayudth to identify as a national saviour by assuming the mantle of the martial hero. By highlighting his regime’s masculine military strength, he asserts, by contrast, the softness, weakness, and corruptibility of his key political rival, Thailand’s first elected female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. His public performance of national leadership argues that these frailties render his opponent ‘unfit’ for national leadership.

中文翻译：

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通过体育身份重新创造武术“英雄”和软弱的“选美皇后”：两个相互竞争的性别身体的故事，泰拳和泰国民族国家的稳定

摘要 本文考察了 2006 年至 2019 年间政治不稳定、充满冲突的泰国男性和女性领导人的性别身体和做法。在一个军事政变数量激增至 22 次（无论成功或失败）的国家，自1932 年，Prayudth Chan-Osha 将军发动的最新军事政变对该国民主的稳定构成了又一威胁。为了应对公众的不安，Prayudth Chan-Osha 将军将自己视为泰国国家力量和稳定的源泉；为了促进乐观的公众观，这位将军公开展示了他的军事男子气概和军国主义的身体素质。“好/强”男性肉体及其“坏/弱”女性反型的文化信息概念使 Prayudth 将军能够通过承担军事英雄的衣钵而将其认定为民族救世主。By highlighting his regime's masculine military strength, he asserts, by contrast, the softness, weakness, and corruptibility of his key political rival, Thailand's first elected female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. 他对国家领导的公开表现表明，这些弱点使他的对手“不适合”担任国家领导。