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If South Korea has K-pop groups, Thailand is gradually becoming known for producing BL (boys love) and GL (girls love) series.

During the Thai Content in the Philippines 2026 networking event of Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) at the New World Hotel in Makati City recently, some of the television dramas presented by Thai production companies featured BL and GL themes.

According to DITP Trade Officer Wannanpong Waiyawuththanapoom, BL and GL have also become part of their country's culture.

“Thai GL and BL has become something like a culture already,” he said.

“I think Thai GL and BL content were successful because we have comprehensive content—not just series but we also have books and movies. Now, I heard some companies are trying to make some games based on the series. I think the quantity of BL and GL in Thailand is quite a lot, so there is a huge variety for the audience to choose.”

Thai BL actors Jay Jatuporn Dangurai (The Heart Killers, The Warp Effect) and Yang Dong Won served entertainment during the Thai Content in the Philippines 2026 networking event.

Like K-pop groups, BL and GL have also become tourist attractions, as many fans from different countries travel to Thailand to attend concerts featuring BL and GL stars.

The Thai trade officer shared, “You know, I noticed that when we have concerts for BL and GL groups in Thailand, many people from other countries fly in as well.

“I also heard there were some [Thai] companies that brought their artists around the world—not just Asia, I heard that some went to the USA and even to Latin America, like Mexico and Brazil.

“It's quite worldwide already, so we hope that it's something like Kpop, that BL and GL.”

Related gallery: Thai stars who visited the Philippines

Meanwhile, through the DITP networking event, the agency hopes to expand the reach of Thai productions and establish collaborations between Thai and Philippine companies.

The Thai Content in the Philippines 2026 trade mission generated a potential business value of ThB140 million, equivalent to approximately PhP 263 million or USD 4.2 million.

One of the biggest areas of interest among Philippine buyers was vertical-format content, a storytelling format designed primarily for mobile-phone viewing.

Several Thai companies reportedly attracted interest from Philippine platforms specializing in vertical content, highlighting the growing demand for mobile-friendly entertainment and opening new opportunities for Thai producers.

Local actors (from left) Royce Cabrera, Jillian Vicencio, and Kristof Garcia (rightmost) with Thai actors Chingching Kharittha Sungsaopath and Judo Thannidhi Tharinpirom.

The discussions, however, went beyond the traditional licensing of finished films and series.

Philippine buyers also expressed interest in co-investment, co-production, remake rights, talent and artist sourcing, fan meetings and joint marketing initiatives, creating opportunities for Thai entertainment companies to work as production partners rather than simply content licensors.

The latest trade mission comes as Thailand continues to strengthen its presence in the international entertainment scene, particularly with the growing popularity of Thai films, series, and digital content in markets across Asia.

DITP supports Thai businesses seeking to expand internationally through trade missions, market-development activities and business-matching programs in key markets.