The popular term for a Thai drama is Thai Lakorn, and it is arguably one of the most famous fiction genres in Thailand’s entertainment industry. These trending Thai dramas air on Thai tv channels at prime time and are known for their single-season runs.
They are mainly based on family dramas, slow-burn romances, folklore, etc. The enemies-to-lovers and best friends-to-lovers tropes are generally more popular with the audience. However, anything controversial, like the usage of drugs, nudity, sex, etc., is strictly censored.
Why are Thai dramas becoming so popular?
These Thai dramas have shot to popularity due to their ageless appeal and non-complicated but emotional storylines. These are easily given competition with other Asian dramas like Korean dramas and Chinese dramas. Especially the Thai dramas of the BL (Boys Love) genre have become a favorite of a global audience.
11 Best Thai dramas and where to watch them
Read on to know about the 11 best and trending Thai dramas which are trending with fans and know where to watch them.
11. Theory of Love
- Cast: Atthaphan Phunsawat, Jumpol Adulkittiporn
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 13 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Drama, Unrequited Love, LGBTQ
- Streaming on: Netflix
Theory of Love Trailer:
Have you ever been very best friends with someone for a long time only to realize that somewhere along the line, you fell in love?
Theory of Love Plot:
The anguish over whether to confess and jeopardize the friendship or suffer through unrequited love is what our lead Third faces. However, after he decides to move on for good, his object of affection and best friend, Khai, decides to like him back romantically. Talk about bad timing!
10. Man of Vengeance
- Cast: Thanapob Leeratanakachorn, Ferny Nopjira Lerkkajornnamkul
- IMDb Rating: 8.5
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 27 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Revenge drama, Family issues, Slow-burn romance drama
- Streaming on: WeTV, meWATCH
Man of Vengeance Plot:
Popularly known as Hua Jai Sila, this popular Thai drama is about a boy named Tor who is mistreated by his father’s family and presumed dead after his mother dies.
Sila returns as a rich man with revenge plans on those who had driven him out and wronged him. In the process, he meets his childhood best friend Mingta, who recognizes him at first sight, but Sila denies it to carry out his plans.
9. Love Destiny
- Cast: Ranee Campen, Greg Garcia
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 15 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Historical fiction, Fantasy, Family drama
- Streaming on: MyAsianTv
Love Destiny Trailer:
Love Destiny Plot:
This is one of the best trending Thai dramas in the romantic comedy genre set in the backdrop of Thailand as it was three centuries ago. It was in the Ayutthaya era when the spirit of an evil manipulating, selfish wife of a rich man of that century was replaced by the soul of a 21st-century archeologist due to a sacred ritual done by the family.
It is a fun plot where we see the character of the modern-day woman navigating through life in a centuries-old traditional household.
Congrats to this beautiful drama for winning best foreign drama at the International Drama Fest in Tokyo. This remains one of my favorite dramas ever made. I never tire of rewatching!! #lovedestiny #popezaap #bellaranee pic.twitter.com/AqATjTm2RZ
— HawjMis (@binavaj) November 1, 2019
8. The Crown Princess
- Cast: Cindy Siringya Bishop, Urassaya Sperbund
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Duration of series: 1 Season 12 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Action, Royal drama, Romance drama
- Streaming on: Dramacool
The Crown Princess Preview:
The Crown Princess Plot:
After the coronation, the crown princess of a small country princess Alice goes to Thailand to escape the threats made to her life. In Thailand, a handsome Navy Seal and Lieutenant Commander become her bodyguard.
A romance ensues between the attractive pair as they face a stream of obstacles. This popular tv series also aired in Vietnam and the Philippines due to its burgeoning popularity as one of the best Thai dramas.
7. Padiwaradda
- Cast: Jirayu Tangsrisuk, Ranee Campen
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 14 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Family drama, Romance, Historical fiction, Action
- Streaming on: Binges, KissAsian
Padiwaradda Plot:
Two families had promised to get their children wed once they grew up. Still, instead of the biological daughter, the adopted daughter enters the marriage to uphold her father’s promise.
Unfortunately, the son from the other family is rude, arrogant, and brooding. But as the unlikely pair thrown together in the contract marriage gets to know each other, a sweet romance ensues.
6. Astrophile
- Cast: Davika Hoorne, Vachiravit Chivaree
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 19 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Romance drama, Hidden identity, Rom com
- Streaming on: GMM TV YouTube channel
Astrophile Trailer:
Astrophile Plot:
A poor girl struggling at work comes across her university junior with whom she spent a memorable night once. But the man does not show any signs of recognition.
This trending Thai drama features a strong and independent woman who tries to make ends meet with her low-paying job while fighting against harassment at work from her boss.
5. Love in Twilight
- Cast: Phakhin Khamwilaisak, Oranate D. Caballes
- IMDb Rating: 7.8
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 12 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Fantasy, Romance, Native Inhabitants, Half human
- Streaming on: WeTV
Love in Twilight Preview:
Love in Twilight Plot:
No, we can’t promise you vampires or werewolves in this series, but wait, there are tiger men in this tv series. Popularly known as Prajan See Daeng, this popular Thai drama boasts of the amazing chemistry between its leads – a tortured doctor tied by fate and a beautiful new volunteer teacher who might be his salvation. But unfortunately, their love story threatens the lives of people and the well-guarded secret of the tribal people.
4. The Gifted
- Cast: Korapat Kirdpan, Wachirawit Ruangwiwat
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 13 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Fantasy, Drama, Mystery
- Streaming on: Netflix
The Gifted Trailer:
The Gifted Plot:
This Thai drama revolves around the Ritdha high school, which boasts of a gifted program where only a handful of students are selected for a special class. One day, the main lead character, who is a below-average student, gets selected for the program.
The newly admitted students feel something is amiss with the whole thing. This show is kind of the Thai version of Xavier’s school for gifted youngsters in the X-men movies and has been a hit with Thai teenagers.
3. Switch On
- Cast: Sushar Manaying, Gee Sutthirak Subvijitra
- IMDb Rating: 8.7
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 22 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Science Fiction, Thriller, Love story, Fantasy
- Streaming on: Netflix
Switch On Preview:
Switch On Plot:
This show jumps between real life and the world of video games, where our main characters meet.
There is the daughter of the video game creator who is on a quest to find her missing father and the hero who is on a mission to find out the murderer of his father. When fate brings the two together, they decide to team up as something huge threatens the world they live in.
2. Revenge
- Cast: Mew Lalita Paneopas
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 12 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Thriller, Revenge killing, Trauma-related
- Streaming on: Dramacool, WatchAsian
Revenge Trailer:
Revenge Review:
Popularly known as The Hunt or The Huntdown, this trending Thai drama is mostly about revenge and getting justice, as the name suggests. This is one of the best Thai dramas having a deep storyline and not the typical light-hearted stuff.
Revenge Plot:
It shows a pair of mother and daughter get gang-raped, and as the daughter reels from the trauma, the mother decides to take things into her own hands. It is satisfying to watch as she starts hunting down each of the accused and exacts revenge.
1. Girl from Nowhere
- Cast: Kitty Chicha, Tris Ren
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Duration of series: 1 Season, 21 Episodes
- Watch it if you like: Crime, Drama, Fantasy
- Streaming on: Dramacool, Netflix
Girl from Nowhere Trailer:
Girl from Nowhere Plot:
This high school-based Thai drama features a smart, no-nonsense girl who is new to the school. She comes in and exposes all the wrong doings going on in the school.
Each episode is a story in itself where a student or staff member is exposed as a culprit! The lead heroine, Nanno, uses her intelligence to punish the wicked by any method necessary.
One of the best things about these Thai dramas is them being binge-able in a short time, as there is only a single season. So, take your pick by matching your mood with the genres and settle in for the day for a binge sesh!
