Nowadays, many people are open to trying different content on streaming platforms, and Thai movies and dramas are getting recognized internationally now. Thai movies have a variety of genres that you can explore. Films based on real life are inspirational and make you feel connected to their journey. If you are a fan of Thai movies or if you are willing to try new things, then here is the list of top 10 Thai films based on real life :
1. The Iron Ladies (2001)
The iron ladies is a 2001 movie based on real-life events. This movie is about a male volleyball team that consists of gays, trans women, and cross-dressers. This movie shows their journey of winning a National Championship in 1996. They faced many problems because of their sexuality and gender orientations. Even the authorities tried to throw them out of the championship because they were part of the LGBTQ+ community. This movie is about dedication and fighting against all odds.
2. The Cave (2019)
The cave is a 2019 movie based on a real-life event of the cave rescue in 2018 in Thailand. The film is about a rescue mission of a football team of 12 young boys and a coach stuck in northern caves due to a flood. It covers the different points of view of people in the cave. This film shows the rescue mission of the football team done by the international rescue team.
3. The Billionaire (2011)
The billionaire is a 2011 film based on the true story of Itthipat Kulapongvanich. It is the story of how a high school kid with online gaming addiction became a billionaire. He never missed a chance to earn money. He started making money from online gaming at the age of 16. From selling chestnuts to opening a business of seaweed, he did everything. This film is an inspirational story of a real-life billionaire who was able to reach the heights of success.
4. Beautiful Boxer (2003)
Beautiful boxer is a 2003 film based on the life of a trans woman, Parinya Charoenphol. Parinya, since her childhood, knew that she was a woman trapped inside a man's body. She got into the sports of Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) to make money for her gender sex change surgery. She is the world's first trans Muay Thai player, and it was not easy to get into this sport as it is considered a symbol of masculinity in Thailand. This film beautifully shows the feelings of Parinya and the struggles she faced with her transition surgery.
5. Samchuk ( 2009)
Samchuk is a 2009 film based on the true story of seven boys from a small province in Thailand, Samchuk. The film is on seven school boys who do drugs. Their teacher was concerned for them and wanted to change their life by helping them with their drug addiction by giving them a second chance.
6. The Teacher’s Diary (2014)
The teacher’s diary is a 2014 film based on a true story of two people who are strangers to each other and cross paths through a diary. A male teacher accepts the offer of teaching at a school in a remote area where he finds a diary of the previous year's teacher. While reading the diary, he felt a connection with her writing and left his note there. The feelings got mutual when the previous teacher found her diary.
7. Bad Genius ( 2017)
Bad genius is a 2017 film based on a true story of an exam cheating racket on a crazy level. It is a story about Lynn, an intelligent student who used to leak question papers for money. But things got out of hand when she tried to do a cheating racket on an international level.
8. The Tin Mine (2005)
The tin mine is a 2005 film set in the 1950s. It is about an engineering student who got expelled from his university. After that, he got a job in a mining company. But the things he learned in those four years working there will be with him for a lifetime.
9. Tee Shot: Ariya Jutanugarn (2019)
Tee shot: Ariya Jutanugarn is a 2019 biopic on Thai professional golfer, Ariya Jutanugarn. This film is about the journey of her golfing career up till now. She was the first Thai golfer to win any championship. She was also ranked no. 1 in the world ranking in 2017. This film shows the inspirational story of Ariya Jutanugarn.
10. By The Time It Gets Dark (2016)
By the time it gets dark is a 2016 film based on the real-life events of the Thammasat University massacre in 1976. They showed the experience of different people who went through or have seen this massacre closely. The film shows the horrors and injustice people had to go through during this massacre.
