Some very problematic aspects seem to have taken Thai drama by storm. 

One lakorn, or drama, Ngao Asoke, is a romantic drama that revolves around Monthai and Bpyeechayat. This drama romanticizes abusive behaviors of Monthai, while idolizing the naivete and submissiveness of Bpyeechayat. 

Monthai is physically aggressive towards Bpeechayat and even goes as far as to kiss her without her consent. The drama justifies his behavior by presenting a misunderstanding between the two, where he accuses her of being a flirt. 

There’s a scene in the lakorn where Monthai goes overboard and nearly rapes Bpyeechayat. Although his behavior is condemned by his mother and her maid, the drama portrays it as just his anger towards Bpyeechayat. 

Another lakorn with a similar male character is Mia Tuean. This drama is about a girl, Fah, who goes to work in Kade’s house due to her stepmother’s debt. 

Kade, just like Monthai, is physically aggressive towards Fah. He also accuses her of being a promiscuous woman because the first time they met, he saw her getting into a car with a man. 

His actions in the drama are viewed as a jealous outburst instead of abusive behavior. He then rapes Fah, but his actions dosn’t result in him getting punished because Fah forgives him in the end and they raise their baby together. 

Another drama, Sud Sai Pan , is a drama about a man, Tithite, falling in love with Gandamee, who had been pretending to be her elder twin sister, Gandaowasee. 

When he first meets Gandaowasee at a party, he immediately grabs her hand and continues to hold her hand despite the fact that she is clearly uncomfortable. At the end, he even follows her to her house and kisses her without her consent. 

Although this drama doesn’t have a male lead who commits or nearly commits sexual assault, the amount of aggressive and forceful kissing is the same as in the other dramas. This male character also accuses Gandowasee of having a low moral character and trapping men with her beauty. 

Thai producers and directors  need to do a better job of presenting romance to viewers, since audiences tend to be impressionable.