Thailand's film industry puts up a large, massive, terrifying feast of epic horrors, which is rarely recognized. Our country is brimming with rich history and mythology centered on Buddhist-inspired notions like spirits, reincarnation, karma, and black magic, all of which have inspired Thai filmmakers to put forth a slew of terrifying films.
Whereas jump scares and tongue-in-cheek humor may be the genre's trademark, Thai horror flicks go above and beyond. Good locally made scares, which are typically based on actual events and urban legends, provide an excellent window into Thai society, letting the viewer uncover hidden, enigmatic truths about Thai people and culture.
1. The Sisters
The Thailand film Pee Chong Air is also known as The Sisters was directed by Tiwa Moeithaisong in 2004. The film shows, after a night of performing outside of Bangkok, a group of teen musicians settles into a hotel, unaware that the room they are living in contains a terrible secret. To save their lives, they must uncover the mystery behind the death of a prostitute in that particular room.
2. Shutter
Thai horror film Shutter of 2004 was directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom. The film’s storyline is Tun, a young photographer, and his girlfriend, Jane, were driving home after a night out with friends when a young woman strolling down the street crashed with them. Tun, who is terrified, tells his girlfriend to escape. Tun notices unusual shadows in his images the next day, and his girlfriend begins to notice strange occurrences around his home. The film was a major box office success, making it one of Thailand's most well-known horror films, with a global audience. In 2008, an English-language remake with the same title was released. The film was also remade in Tamil and Hindi as Sivi and Click, respectively.
3. Rahtree: Flower Of The Night
The film Rahtree of 2003 was directed byYuthlert Sippapak and acted by Laila Boonyasak, Krit Sripoomseth, Chompunoot Piyapane, Sirisin Siripornsmathikul, Ampon Rattanawong, Somjai Sukjai, and Sayan Meungjarern. The film portrayed, that after conniving a girl into bed, a Thai playboy dumps her after knowing she is pregnant with his child. Her ghost haunts those in the area after she commits suicide alone in her flat. The owner of the apartment building hires a group of strange shamans to evict her spirit from the grounds.
4. The Victim (2006)
Thailand horror-thrill film The Victim of 2006 was directed by Monthon Arayangkoon. Pitchannart Sakakorn plays a struggling young actress who takes a job re-enacting crime scenes for the police department. Still, she begins to have terrifying experiences as she takes on the role of a murdered beauty queen. Soon after, she resolves to unravel the mystery behind Min's death.
5. Ghost Game (2006)
The film Ghost Game was directed by Sarawut Wichiensarn. The movie tells the story of 11 competitors who sign up for a terrifying reality show that compels them to face their worst fears and confront the otherworldly. They're taken to a Cambodian war museum once utilized as a Khmer Rouge prison twenty years ago. During the Cambodian war in the 1970s, thousands of innocent individuals were tortured and died. The museum is now deserted, and no one dares to enter. The event's single winner will get 5 million Baht ($US 130,000), the largest prize ever offered on a Thai game show. They agree to risk their lives in the museum, braving traps created by the show's producers as well as those of the real ghosts whose spirits haunt the area, motivated by the enormous payoff.
6. Bangkok Haunted
Thai horror film Bangkok Haunted of 2001 was directed by Oxide Pang and Pisut Praesangeam. The film is about three ladies who meet in a cafe and tell each other ghost stories, ranging from an old drum with a mysterious background to a magical love potion so potent that it may kill you, to a murder case with a twist.
7. Laddaland
Laddaland film of 2011 was directed and co-written by Sophon Sakdaphisit. The film shows a family on the verge of breaking up who relocates to a posh suburb outside of Bangkok in the hopes of bettering their lives and reuniting. A horrific murder case, on the other hand, throws fuel to the fire and endangers their already frailties.
8. Art Of The Devil 2
2005 Thai horror film, Art Of The Devil 2, also known as Long Khong, was directed by the "Ronin Team," which includes Kongkiat Khomsiri, Art Thamthrakul, Yosapong Polsap, Putipong Saisikaew, Isara Nadee, Pasith Buranajan, and Seree Pongniti. The film portrays the story when one of their fathers commits suicide, a group of high school buddies reunites after two years. They all stay at a friend's house for the night. Strange things begin to happen to them one by one as darkness falls. It's as though they're being targeted by the dark arts in retaliation for an act that this group of friends did together in high school.
9. 4bia
Phobia or 4bia, Youngyooth Thongkonthun, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom, and Paween Purijitpanya directed in 2008, this Thai horror film. The film is in four different parts. 4BIA is a collection of horror stories. "Happiness," the first section, is about a lonely girl who spoke with a stranger via mobile phone text message and quickly discovered something unusual about this new stranger to whom she is drawn. The second part, "Tit For Tat", was a dark fantasy about retribution and black magic for a school child who had been tormented by a gang. "In the Middle" - After a water kayaking mishap, a group of friends had one of their worst camping trips. The last episode, "Last Fright," the last episode, pushes the boundaries of horror with a psychological thriller involving a stewardess who flies alone in a compartment with a body.
10. Nang Nak (1999)
Thai supernatural horror film, Nang Nak of 1999 was directed by Nonzee Nimibutr. The film is based on the Mae Nak Phra, the Thailand legend. A soldier returns home after serving in the military to a happy household where his wife and child excitedly await his arrival. But, as his close friends and well-wishers attempt to express to him, there is something problematic about his wife.
