Queer Specificity in Thai BL: Say Gay edition
When I first started watching Thai BL, it felt like everything was in the BL bubble - everyone dated men, there was no homophobia, no one had to come out of the closet. The more I watch, the more evidence I find of a rich variety of ways queerness is expressed and represented in Thai BL.
That being said, here is a non-exhaustive tribute to some of my favorite moments of characters stating it clearly.
Also see my list of fun, messy, and political moments of queer specificity.
Khemjira (2025), Ep. 12: "I'm gay. Jet's also gay. We're crazy in love." I got second-hand embarrassment making this GIF
Your Dear Daddy (2026), Ep. 7: "Gay? Why hesitate to say that word? Just say it. No need to be scared. You've always been a coward."
Tale of 1000 Stars (2021), Ep. 5: "You like men, then that means you're gay. But I'm ok with it because you're my friend."
Love By Chance (2018), Ep. 1: "But I'm gay na krab." "So what?"
Moonlight Chicken (2023), Ep. 7: "Even if Li Meng stayed with his mother, he would still be gay no matter what. What era are we in? No one looks for a reason people are gay anymore. Look at me. None of my friends are gay, but I am." (Editor's note: Wen should get some gay friends)
TharnType (2019), Ep. 1: "Are you gay?" "Yes." Asked and answered!
KinnPorsche (2022), Ep. 4: "You wanted me to be shocked to know Kinn's gay?" Kinn looks on, pleased.
TonhonChonlatee, maybe? I have a vague memory of Chonlatee's mom saying he's gay, but I couldn't find it when I went looking.
Love in the Air (2022), Ep. 1: "Are you gay?" "To be honest, I'm bi."
Only Friends (2023), Ep. 8: "You're bi? Me too."
I Like Men/I Don't Like Women:
There are quite a few examples of characters saying they like men or don't like women rather than using a label to describe their sexuality. Here are a few of my favorites:
Ticket to Heaven (2026), Ep. 3: "I like guys... I like you."
That Summer (2025), Ep. 4: "Why are you brave enough to say you like men?" "Because it's not a big deal." One of the strengths of That Summer is that it shows four gay men each with different relationships to sexuality and identity and each navigating very different obstacles in their paths to love and/or self-acceptance.
He's Coming to Me (2019), Ep. 6: "That's when I knew I'm not into girls." Sorry I kissed the girl you have a crush on. Also I'm in love with a man who just so happens to be a ghost.
Perfect 10 Liners (2025), Ep. 18: "It's normal for men to date, right? I'm normal, right?" One of the more interesting coming out scenes in Thai BL, because we've spent the first 17 episodes of this series believing that we were in the homophobia-free BL bubble, and now we realize that Wine hearing the stories of all of these happy same-sex couples has been part of his trajectory towards self-acceptance.
Never Let Me Go (2022), Ep. 5: "Mom, are you ok with the fact that I like men?" "Neung, you can like whatever or whoever you want. This is your life. What I expect is to see you lead a happy life, and live the life you choose."
The Heart Killers (2024), Ep. 5: "But do you know what he did? He tried to set me up with another mechanic at the garage."
Bad Buddy (2021), Ep. 9: "I like them all."
Century of Love (2025), Ep. 4: "Let them gossip if they want... Besides, I don't mind being with a man. Actually, I dated both women and men."
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