While homosexuality is not illegal, he says that "does not mean that Thai society accepts such sexual orientations". Mr Bunyavejchewin describes the country as "a land of contrast". He says the steady stream of boys' love television shows and feature films are triggering fundamental changes in Thai society.ĭespite the success of the genre, the gay community in Thailand still faces many challenges. This seems to be unthinkable 10 years ago," says Thai political scientist Poowin Bunyavejchewin. "I think male-male romance or male-male homoerotic relations has now become a new normal in Thai pop culture. In recent years the genre known as 'boys' love' has spread fast across South-East Asia and is reaching cult status in some parts of the West, despite the anxieties of conservative parts of Thai society. Why are Thailand's same-sex romantic dramas gaining a global following? Shrouded in controversy, Love of Siam became an unexpected hit, bringing in over 40 million baht ($2 million) in its first month.Īt a time when it was a struggle to find a gay character on Thai television, the film's success sent an emphatic message to entertainment media companies: there was money to be made in same-sex romance. In 2007 a film about two young men who develop feelings for each other in high school caught Thai audiences off guard.
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