Thai broadcaster Channel 3 premieres three prime-time dramas in the next 10 days, pushing the envelope on theme and riding global appetite for more diverse storylines.

The three series – “The Root”, “The Kinnaree Conspiracy” and “Lipgloss Spy” – release into a red-hot Thai drama environment, with regional and global streamers piling into original production in the country.

All three will stream simultaneously in Thailand on Ch3Plus and on Netflix, with a broader Southeast Asia release to follow.

Ch3 titles such as romantic drama “Bad Romeo” and romcom “Suptar 2550”, have been Netflix’s most popular Thai titles. 

LGBTQ+ romantic drama, “The Root” (“Rark Kaew”, 12 x 85 mins) premieres on Thursday (20 Oct) at 8.30pm, and will air weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Produced by Change2561 in their first drama for Ch3, “The Root” is a modern story based on Krisna Asoksin’s 1974 novel about a poverty-stricken family whose daughter, Sai, is adopted by a wealthy family. In a desperate attempt to escape and find true love, Sai seeks affection in all kinds of unsuitable places. 

Ch3 has flagged a different storytelling style from a new producer, and said this week that the series is set in an environment where LGBTQ+ communities are more widely accepted. 

Period suspense drama, “The Kinnaree Conspiracy” (“Lai Kinnaree”, 15 x 85 mins), follows on 24 October and will air at 8.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Produced by Act Art Generation, “The Kinnaree Conspiracy” stars Yaya Urassaya as a medical forensic examiner in the ancient Kingdom of Ayudhaya investigating the mysterious death of Captain Jean (David A), who has been found dead wearing a Lai Kinnaree garment usually reserved for royal women. She seeks the help of Lord Indra Ratchapakdee (played by Nadech Kugimiya) and French army attache (New Chaiyapol). 

The third new release is romcom “Lipgloss Spy” (“Sai Lub Lipgloss”, 15 x 85 mins), which will air Fridays to Sundays at 8.30pm from 28 October. 

From Broadcast Thai Television, which produced blockbuster Thai drama “Love Destiny”, the 15-episode “Lipgloss Spy” is about a beauty blogger, played by Namtarn Pichukkana, an ex-police officer, his partner, and a crime reporter who become entangled in three parallel investigations that grow increasingly messy and dangerous. 

“Lipgloss Spy” will be simulcast on Asian streaming platform Viu in Malaysia.