Thai TV Drama Faces Animal Abuse Allegations After Cat Scene

A prominent television drama in Thailand is facing accusations of potential animal abuse following a scene depicting a cat convulsing on the ground. Viewers of the Thai drama “The Empress of Ayodhaya” expressed concern, questioning the methods used to achieve the animal’s convincing performance and suggesting possible mistreatment. Although the show’s producers quickly attempted to assure the public of the cat’s well-being, a social media boycott campaign has gathered momentum. Officials have stated they are looking into the animal abuse claims. The contentious scene features a woman giving a cat her tea to determine if it contains poison. Shortly thereafter, the cat is shown purring and writhing on the ground before it “dies.” Social media users, including prominent individuals, rapidly expressed their outrage regarding the potential mistreatment of the cat online. These concerns have subsequently overshadowed a production that was promoted as one of the year’s major Thai dramas. “The Empress of Ayodhaya” depicts a narrative of royal conflicts during the Ayutthaya period, drawing inspiration from the life of a 16th-century Siamese queen. Thai television channel One31 and the drama’s director, Sant Srikaenlaw, stated that the cat was anesthetized under expert supervision. Sant further mentioned that the cat had recovered consciousness and committed to arranging a health examination for it. The show’s producers additionally shared photographs and videos of the cat to demonstrate its safety and good health. However, these efforts have had minimal effect in calming public outrage. The Veterinary Council of Thailand, which issued a warning about the risks of sedating animals, announced its intention to take appropriate action regarding the matter. Concurrently, Thailand’s Livestock Department reported that it has initiated an investigation into the animal cruelty allegations, stating that it requested to examine the cat to confirm it sustained no harm. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released a statement on Monday, condemning the use of anesthesia on the cat for entertainment purposes, characterizing it as “reckless, dangerous, and cruel.” The statement asserted, “The public is rightly outraged, especially knowing that today, anything is possible with CGI, AI and animatronics.” It concluded, “If you can’t make a TV show without risking the lives of animals, you’re in the wrong business.”