Thai entertainment industry sets sights on Filipino fans with Manila visit
Thai entertainment has already found a home among Filipino fans.
From Mario Maurer’s team-up with Erich Gonzales in the 2012 romantic film "Suddenly It’s Magic" to the massive following built by stars such as Bright Vachirawit, Win Metawin, OffGun and Pond Phuwin, Thai talents have become familiar names among Philippine audiences.
And Filipino fans have certainly returned the love.
Over the past year, several Thai stars have made their way to the Philippines to meet their Pinoy fans, giving local audiences the fan events and personal interactions they have been waiting for.
Thai series have also become a major part of that connection, particularly boys' love (BL) and girls' love (GL) dramas.
During the pandemic, titles such as "2gether," "Not Me," "KinnPorsche" and "Bad Buddy" helped build strong Filipino fandoms for Thai actors and series, turning many of their stars into household names among local BL and GL fans.
Now, the Thai entertainment industry is looking to take that relationship a step further.
Eighteen Thai companies from the film, drama, series, television and related service sectors are coming to Manila for "THAI CONTENT IN THE PHILIPPINES 2026," happening from Aug. 26 to 28.
The event is part of Thailand's effort to bring its content industry to more international markets. In the Philippines, the goal is not only to introduce more Thai content to Filipino audiences but also to connect Thai companies with local partners and explore possible business opportunities.
According to Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Philippines is considered one of the promising markets for Thai content.
"The Department of International Trade Promotion is committed to continuously expanding opportunities for Thailand’s content industry in international markets. The Philippines is one of ASEAN’s strategic markets with strong potential, both in terms of its consumer base and its dynamic media and entertainment industry," Sunanta said.
For Filipino viewers who have already spent years following Thai dramas and rooting for their favorite stars, the Manila event could mean even more opportunities to see Thai entertainment beyond the series that first brought these talents to their screens.
And with the growing appetite for Thai BL, GL, dramas, films and television content in the Philippines, it looks like the Thai-Filipino entertainment connection is only getting started.