A Thai period drama has come under scrutiny following a controversial scene in which a cat appears to suffer seizures and die. The director of The Empress of Ayodhaya, Sant Srikaewlaw, confirmed that the black cat featured in the scene was sedated using an anesthetic. He assured audiences in a Facebook post on Saturday that the procedure was conducted under close supervision by both the cat’s owner and alleged “experts.” Srikaewlaw also shared footage of the cat post-filming to confirm its health, adding that he would arrange a veterinary checkup and make the results public.
The drama, which airs on several platforms including Netflix, portrays the life of a courtesan in the Ayutthaya period. In the fifth episode, a scene shows a black cat being forced to drink a solution before displaying signs of distress and apparent death. Following the release of the episode, many viewers, including prominent artists, expressed concerns on social media about potential animal cruelty.
The Thai Animal Guardians Association has since requested that the Department of Livestock Development investigate the matter for potential breaches of animal welfare laws. The Veterinary Council of Thailand also noted it would take relevant action regarding the sedation of the animal.
In response to public outcry, Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development has initiated an inquiry, sending an urgent letter to all parties involved, including the director, the cat’s owner, and the alleged “animal expert” who administered the sedative. The department’s senior veterinarian, Permsin Boon-norm, confirmed to Thai PBS that the Division of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Service received a formal complaint on the issue. Officials are now gathering information and reviewing whether the incident constitutes a violation of the Animal Cruelty Act.
As part of the investigation, the department has requested detailed documentation of the filming procedures, footage of the sedation, and a full veterinary examination for the cat, including blood tests and x-rays. Permsin noted that if a licensed veterinarian did not administer the sedative, the action would violate Thai animal welfare regulations, carrying a penalty of up to two years in prison and/or a fine of 40,000 baht.
Further penalties could apply under the Veterinary Profession Act if the individual involved is found to be unqualified. The scene sparked widespread criticism across social media, and, in response, the ONE31 channel, which airs the show, issued a formal apology, expressing regret for any discomfort caused to viewers.
