Thai same-sex romance dramas win loyal Australian fans

Thai boys’ love (BL) and girls’ love (GL) dramas have found a devoted niche following in Australia, where some viewers value their romantic stories, inclusive themes and fan communities, according to a Spring News feature published on October 13, 2026.

Australia offers Thai producers an audience with strong spending potential, although the fanbase remains smaller than in Southeast Asia and the dramas have yet to enter mainstream Australian entertainment. Enthusiastic supporters follow actors online, attend events and help introduce Thai contemporary culture to wider communities.

Thai performers draw fans to Sydney festival

The Thailand Grand Festival at Sydney’s Tumbalong Park attracted more than 80,000 visitors across September 19–20, 2026, according to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Sydney. That figure covers the entire cultural festival.

Spring News reported that around 2,000–4,000 fans gathered in front of the festival stage for Thai pop performers and BL actors, demonstrating how enthusiasm for screen entertainment translates into attendance at live events.

An Australian attendee interviewed by Spring News particularly enjoyed performances by First–Khaotung and Sea–Keen. The actor pairings comprise Kanaphan “First” Puitrakul and Thanawat “Khaotung” Ratanakitpaisan, and Dechchart “Sea” Tasilp and Suvijak “Keen” Piyanopharoj.

The Australian attendee described the pleasure of becoming absorbed in love stories and praised the variety of Thai BL plots. Their favourite series was Perfect 10 Liner, which combines romance and drama.

Streaming and fan communities broaden access

English subtitles and online distribution help Australian audiences discover Thai dramas, while social platforms allow viewers to discuss episodes, follow performers and build friendships across borders.

Spring News identified producers’ YouTube channels, iQIYI, WeTV and GagaOOLala among the platforms supporting access to Thai content. Fans also exchange recommendations and discuss their favourite series on X, Facebook, YouTube and Reddit.

Australia’s multicultural communities provide another route for Thai entertainment to reach new viewers. Spring News described residents of Asian heritage who are already familiar with Asian popular culture as early audiences who introduce Thai dramas to friends and wider communities, with English serving as a shared language.

Earlier distribution arrangements included iWantTFC’s support for Telstra TV devices in Australia. ABS-CBN promoted that compatibility in 2022 alongside its Thai catalogue, which included Never Let Me Go and 2gether. Telstra TV services ended on October 31, 2024.

For some Australian fans, Thai BL and GL dramas also offer a welcoming space to see diverse relationships represented. Spring News linked that appeal to Australia’s relatively open social environment and support for equality, describing the programmes as a form of progressive entertainment.

Research by Dr Thomas Baudinette of Macquarie University in Sydney examines how Thai BL performers connect their public profiles with advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer rights. His study concerns Thai BL production and fandom, rather than a representative survey of Australian viewers.

Baudinette describes “queer activist idol personas” through the examples of Pruk “Zee” Panich and Chawarin “NuNew” Perdpiriyawong, known as Zee–NuNew, and Pirapat “Earth” Watthanasetsiri and Sahaphap “Mix” Wongratch, known as Earth–Mix.

Baudinette’s analysis explores how performances, variety programmes and social media activity intersect with support for marriage equality and wider rights. Spring News presents that public engagement, including actors celebrating the passage of Thailand’s marriage equality legislation alongside fans, as another source of appeal for international audiences.

Thai producers expand a business built around fandom

Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center projected in January 2025 that revenue among Thai BL and GL film and series producers would exceed 4.9 billion baht in 2025, increasing by about 17% year on year. Spring News expressed the projected value as approximately US$144 million–152 million.

The SCB forecast put the sector’s share of Thailand’s entertainment production value at 3.9% in 2025, compared with 3.0% in 2023 and 0.7% in 2019. Those 2025 figures were projections.

SCB’s research identified Thailand as Asia’s leading producer, accounting for approximately 55% of BL titles and 60% of GL titles broadcast in the region in 2024. Its BL and GL counts together exceeded 340 titles, encompassing films, series and short productions.

Company results illustrate the businesses operating in the sector:

In 2024, GMMTV recorded revenue of 2,463 million baht and a net profit of 126 million baht, while CHANGE2561 generated revenue of 442 million baht and a net profit of 25 million baht. Domundi reported revenue of 413 million baht and a net profit of 29 million baht, while Be On Cloud earned revenue of 167 million baht and a net profit of 15 million baht.

Thai entertainment companies generate income through artist management, live performances, merchandise and overseas licensing as well as advertising. This business model extends the commercial life of a series through continued engagement with its cast and fanbase.

Spring News describes Australia as a potentially valuable market within that wider fan economy, with committed supporters willing to spend on artists and events. The report does not provide a measured Australian average revenue per user.

Thai cultural and trade promotion reaches Australian fans

The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Sydney organised a BL & GL Thai Pop Fan Meet at The Mint on September 6, 2025, bringing fans of Thai performers and contemporary culture together.

Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion also included a Sydney project supporting the image of Thai entertainment and business cooperation in its fiscal 2026 overseas promotion plans.

Across its international content-promotion activities, the department reported trade negotiations worth 6,431.89 million baht in fiscal 2026, compared with 5,567.32 million baht in fiscal 2025. These figures represent negotiated business value across the programme’s markets, rather than completed export sales or revenue generated specifically in Australia.

Source: Springnews