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Anil fav place

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the real answer was to have sex in the car

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I don’t know why some people in the fandom still don’t get this but it needs to be said. Pin has no power. She may be a lady but her will can be overruled by every ranked individual in that palace. It doesn’t matter what she wants. Her fighting was when she pleaded with her aunt. When she saw that didn’t work she accepted her fate because what else is she supposed to do? She’s just the poor orphan they took in. She has no agency. Stop blaming her for not acting like Anin when Anin has far more privilege and support than she has ever had.

Just look at the difference between how their mothers reacted to the news of them being together. Anins mother was overwhelmed by the idea of Anin giving up her title because she loves her so much she couldn’t bear the thought of of losing her. She accepted her almost immediately. Alternatively Pins’ mom slash aunt aka the only real family she has blamed her for the relationship, called her an ungrateful disgrace and said she would rather her die than have her be with Anin.

I love Anin but it’s easy to be bold when everyone around you listens to you, respects your opinion and encourages to be a free thinker even when that goes against societal expectations. It’s much harder to be bold when you grew up with a mother who beat you when your friend got herself hurt because she’s of higher rank.

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#👅👅👅

THE LOYAL PIN | EP8

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This… is a lip kiss. You use it for expressing love.

THE LOYAL PIN | EP4

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AnilPin + cars throughout the years

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Lady Pilanthita Kasidit ♡ Princess Anilapat Sawettavarit

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The Loyal Pin & Class Dynamics

I’ve been having conversations in the group chat about The Loyal Pin, specifically about one of my favorite aspects of the show which are the disparities in social class between the characters and how they influence their relationships and behavior.

The social and political power and influence of the royal families is something that isn’t exactly hidden but it’s been stewing beneath the surface and has only fully emerged in episode 12.

I will preface this, as always, by saying I’m no expert and I don’t claim to be. I’m just a girl who likes delving into the crunchier themes of the media I enjoy. I’m not well-versed on Thai history so I won’t be exploring that side as much (people smarter than I have discussed a lot of the cultural aspects of the show. @hallowpen has been writing up some lovely informative posts about each episode that I highly recommend checking out!) this is mostly an examination of characters from within the framework the show has established.

Being a show set in 50s/60s Thailand, it’s easiest to see how the status of women is far from what we expect today. The men are the ones who dictate how the women should live their lives, from what kind of education they receive to who they’re arranged to marry. That said, the princesses are afforded more privileges than the other women around them. Anin is allowed to study abroad and further her education but marriage is an expectation even she can’t escape. It’s a running joke that her father doesn’t think any suitor is good enough for her but her being unmarried isn’t a real consideration (though we know she's definitely going to push back hard lol).

Contrast Anin’s situation with Pin, who is essentially a handmaiden with limited social mobility and almost no agency over her own life and choices. Pin does receive an education and seeks out employment but, again, it’s always been expected that she marry. Pin is constantly pressured by suitors like Kuea, who has repeatedly used his association with Prince Anon and his own status to gain favor with those who have pull over Pin (specifically Princess Patt). Pin has rejected his advances openly but her word isn’t much against social/cultural expectations. Kuea and Pin are of the same social standing, therefore, from an outside perspective there's no reason they shouldn't be together.

Outside of Anin and Pin, we’re presented with countless examples of women forced into unfavorable positions because they’re not given the same respect as the men. Ueangfah is forced into a marriage with Ram, who's not only shown interest in pursuing other women but is pushy and demanding in his advances. The way he aggressively pushes Pin to speak to him when he thinks she’s a servant is enough to illustrate how he views himself and - more importantly - those he deems as less important.

The men are the active pursuers and the women are expected to be passive participants.

Even more could be said about the men refusing to save On from drowning because they aren’t allowed to touch a woman vs. Kuea and Ram grabbing Pin when nobody’s around to stop them. They're both such blatant shows of power and control but I digress.

I want to touch on Princess Patt for a minute because I think she's been given an unfair shake with some of fandom after the last episode. Princess Patt is entrusted with making sure that Pin leads a successful life which ultimately means not straying from the status quo. I don’t think she, especially as a woman who was in love with another woman, takes any joy from being the one to put a stop to Anin and Pin’s relationship. It may not be ideal but, to me, her behavior is clearly coming from both a place of love and few other options. She can’t allow Pin to be in a relationship with a woman. It’s simply something that doesn’t happen during this time and would only put Pin in a bad, potentially dangerous situation in the future.

Let’s also not forget that Princess Patt has to do her job! She can’t refuse Kuea as a romantic partner for Pin when - as stated earlier - there's no legitimate reason they shouldn't be married (again, speaking from the lens of arranged marriages being the accepted social norm. Anin's mother chastised her for trying to bring in Western customs; love and marriage are simply not synonymous here).

Anin giving Pin such extravagant gifts is a huge red flag for anyone that’s observing it. Those gifts aren't taken lightly and it’s certainly not something you’d do for someone who’s of lower social standing. Princess Patt understands that better than anyone, having been put in a similar situation. All it takes is the wrong person to catch sight of that and it’s a problem. We've been given countless examples of people questioning Anin and Pin's dynamic because of how they behave towards each other. Even Ueangfah's mom called attention to Pin wearing one of the hair pins she’d given to Anin. Pin and Anin’s relationship is risky and they’re being very unsubtle (Both Pin and Anin even acknowledge this in the latest episode). Prince Anan said it best; he understands that love can’t be denied but not everyone else will accept that.

I also want to touch on Prik for a moment and the way she’s often used by the people around her for their own personal benefit because she’s a servant. I have no doubt that Anin cares for Prik but she also has no qualms about putting Prik in uncomfortable situations in order to get what she wants. Prik isn’t allowed to refuse! I know it’s easy to forget that because Prik is often willing to go along with Anin’s plans but she has to follow the instructions of the royal family. I’m by no means saying that Anin is a terrible person for this, she’s only doing what’s normal for her, but it’s another example of the class dynamics at play. Prik must do what is asked of her or face some sort of repercussions. She may test the waters here and there (eating the lunches Pin made for Anin, for example) but I’d say those are things with pretty low risk. Prik may have more leeway with Anin but she’s not going to test Princess Patt or any other member of the royal family. Seeing her stuck in the middle in episode 12, unable to intervene, was tough to watch.

Similarly, Pin is in a tough position that Anin doesn’t seem to fully realize. Anin is a princess who’s used to getting her way. She seems to wholeheartedly believe she can marry Pin and bulldoze all obstacles in her way (and we love her for that <3). But, in doing so, she makes things tougher for Pin. Giving Pin that ring focused suspicions on Pin. That was the catalyst to Pin being married off faster. Pin isn’t afforded the same grace as Anin. She can’t get away with being rebellious the way Anin can. I can only imagine how much pressure Pin is under to perform her duties as expected while also having such deep feelings for Anin. There’s a reason Pin is far more mature and levelheaded in comparison to Anin. She can’t afford to be reckless.

Her decision in the preview for episode 13 makes sense given where she’s at. She and Anin live vastly different lives and, as much as they might wish outside factors didn’t matter, they do have an impact. Pin has to think about her future and what it might be. It’s a really heartbreaking path but she isn't a princess. Anin may believe she can protect Pin from anything but Pin has been forced to see the reality of her circumstances.

Anyway, these are just thoughts that have been bouncing around in my brain! I’m really glad I decided to keep watching this show and I’m eager to see what the next few episodes bring.

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Khun Pin. What are you staring at? Well... you... you left one button open, Your Highness. The neckline is too low. Hmmm, too low? Yes.

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I truly admire how much Pin has been fighting back the rule of her aunt. She's a very obedient person, so her rebellion is not as firery as Anin's, but I found the scene of her bowing down to beg her aunt extremely powerful. I felt it very strongly. Even if it's not anger, or bold, upfront resistance, it's not passive or weak either. She IS standing up for their relationship, by showing the extent of her devotion not to her aunt but to Anin and their love. She is showing what she's ready to do. I am honestly not familiar with the weight of such a deep bow culturally, but I would assume that it means A LOT since we've never seen any character of this social status doing it before in the show (except her aunt when she met her sadly dead girlfriend, but it was to indicate subordination since she was going to work for her. And frankly, the parallel is parallelling). This moment of confrontation between them might be my favorite of the episode frankly, except Anin's declaration at the end OF COURSE

Pin resisted as much as she could in all the ways she could, and I'm not blaming her for breaking in the next episode and accepting the mariage. She does respect and love her aunt, and she is also very aware of her social status. She will do her duty because she's been raised to know her place and I would never blame her for that. It's just heartbreaking and unfair, but it's also very understandable.

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Also idolfactory - the loyal pin background score release when??

I really need that album because the background score and music has been impeccable in this series

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I will never give you to anyone. You are mine, and mine only. The Loyal Pin (2024)