Cover The best Thai dramas of 2025, such as ‘Zomvivor’, showcased genre-defying storytelling across platforms (Photo: IMDB)
The best Thai dramas of 2025, such as ‘Zomvivor’, showcased genre-defying storytelling across platforms (Photo: IMDB)
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From supernatural folklore to start-up thrillers, these genre-defining series prove Thai dramas have entered their golden age
In 2025, Thai dramas delivered cinema-quality series that trended globally, with Girls’ Love (GL) finally claiming its throne alongside Boys’ Love (BL) juggernauts. International streaming platforms like Netflix, WeTV and Viu invested heavily in high-concept productions, whilst creators confidently showcased regional Thai culture to worldwide audiences. The result? A spectacular year of horror-romances, body-swap comedies and emotional fantasies that kept viewers obsessed. Here are the Thai dramas that defined 2025.
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‘Khemjira’ (2025)
Above ‘Khemjira’ blended Isaan folklore with horror-romance for a cultural phenomenon
BL horror-romance Khemjira was a major hit in 2025, trending worldwide on social media. Set in Thailand’s Northeast, it follows Khem (Namping Napatsakorn), a young man given a female name to hide him from malevolent spirits targeting male children. When a protective shaman named Pharan (Keng Harit) enters his life, their romance unfolds against supernatural threats. The iQIYI series drew deeply on authentic Isaan folklore and employed movie-grade visual effects, generating over 17 million social media mentions by its finale.
‘Love Design’ (2025)
Above ‘Love Design’ set new standards for Girls’ Love storytelling with Jane Methika’s performance
Among the year’s best Girls’ Love series, Love Design helped move the genre forward. The Thai drama centres on the evolving dynamic between Rin (Jane Methika Jiranorraphat) and Aokbab (Kao Supassara), exploring artistic rivalry and professional integrity as their relationship deepens. Critics praised its script that eliminated the dead air plaguing earlier GL dramas, with Jane’s nuanced performance earning acclaim as one of 2025’s finest acting showcases regardless of genre.
‘Mad Unicorn’ (2025)
Above ‘Mad Unicorn’ starring Ice Natara captured Thailand’s start-up culture
Netflix thriller Mad Unicorn tapped into modern Thailand’s entrepreneurial zeitgeist. The series follows Santi (Ice Natara), a street-smart underdog who builds Thunder Express, a unicorn start-up challenging established delivery monopolies. Mirroring real-life success stories like Flash Express, the David-versus-Goliath narrative resonated with young Thais navigating competitive markets. Ice’s dedicated performance—he learnt Chinese for the role in two months—and kinetic direction helped it trend number one on Netflix Thailand.
‘Leap Day’ (2025)
Above ‘Leap Day’ delivered emotional devastation with Gun Atthaphan’s brilliant autistic character portrayal
Among Viu’s most talked about dramas, Leap Day pairs star power with high-concept fantasy. The Thai drama follows a devastating curse that claims someone you love every February 29th of a leap year. Featuring Dew Jirawat as Night and Pond Naravit as Day, the emotional thriller was also elevated by Gun Atthaphan’s sensitive portrayal of Ozone, an autistic character navigating the ticking-clock mechanic of impending loss. Gun’s performance transformed this tear-jerker into must-watch territory for emotional catharsis seekers.
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‘Queendom’ (2025)
Above The body-swap premise of ‘Queendom’ dominated streaming charts
Queendom perfected the body-swap trope for the GL genre. Lifelong rivals Rey (Arhoung Nattawadee) and Print (Pam Tarradee) switch bodies a week before filming a drama together, forcing them to physically inhabit each other’s lives and dismantle prejudices from within. The supernatural comedy dominated fan discussions with its empathy-driven storytelling, offering sharp entertainment industry satire whilst delivering the year’s most satisfying rivals-to-lovers arc.
‘Zomvivor’ (2025)
Above ‘Zomvivor’ brought zombie horror to Thai television with Zee Pruk and NuNew
Netflix’s Halloween release Zomvivor transformed a university campus into a zombie apocalypse survival thriller. Starring Zee Pruk and NuNew, the horror hit follows students and staff fighting for survival as an outbreak turns their academic sanctuary into a bloodbath. Praised for its practical effects and genuinely frightening high-stakes tension, the star-studded production proved Thai creators could master Western horror conventions whilst maintaining local flavour.
‘Rabbit on the Moon’ (2025)
Above ‘Rabbit on the Moon’ delivered mature romance with Bright Norraphat and Kao Supassara (Photo: IMDB)
‘Rabbit on the Moon’ delivered mature romance with Bright Norraphat and Kao Supassara (Photo: IMDB)
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Viki favourite Rabbit on the Moon is lauded for its grounded, adult approach to romance. Starring Bright Norraphat and Kao Supassara, the series explores the collision between love and ambition as real estate business pressures threaten a burgeoning relationship. Its morally grey characters navigating family duty and personal desire offered refreshing complexity, proving not all successful Thai dramas required supernatural premises to captivate audiences.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
