There’s no shortage of new Thai soap operas making the leap to blockbuster streaming platforms, but how many can break through the conservatively tapered social lens of the TV industry?
For a few days in late September, just after the release of South Korea’s Squid Game (2021) but before it began gulping up all the entertainment-media oxygen, Thailand had a contender for Asia’s next Netflix hit. On paper, Bangkok Breaking (2021) had the makings of, if not an international smash, a local hit that Thais could get behind, hold up and enjoy after the travails of recent months. Billboards for this ‘fast-paced action-thriller drama centered around the wild world of Bangkok’s road rescue services’ laced the capital’s arteries. Showbiz outlets ran clickbaity ‘All you should know about Bangkok Breaking’ articles. All pumped high expectations for the streaming giant’s…
