Horror is among the most popular genres in Thai cinema, and its output has gained recognition internationally.
But why?
To understand the deep-rooted appeal of Thai horror, you have to look at the history of the Thai horror genre itself, which is, in many ways, a history of ghosts.
What Makes Thai Horror Movies Special?
Unlike in the West, where horror tends to be defined by what it makes you feel (fear, dread, suspense), Thai horror is more about drawing from centuries-old Thai folklore, animist traditions, and Buddhism. These are stories shaped by spiritual belief systems, where ghosts (or phi) are not just movie monsters, but something that feels familiar to many viewers, woven into everyday life.
This unique cultural framework gave rise to ‘nang phi’, or ‘ghost films’, a genre that reflects Thailand’s complex relationship with the afterlife, karma, and spiritual retribution. These films don’t just aim to scare. They serve as cautionary tales, moral reckonings, or even quiet reflections on grief and guilt.
Much of what makes Thai horror movies so powerful can get lost in translation. Traditional ghost stories are deeply local and based on cultural knowledge that international audiences might not fully grasp.
And yet, they’ve made a significant mark, both at home and abroad. Nang Nak (1999), for instance, is a retelling of Thailand’s most famous ghost legend. It wasn’t just a box office success; it helped launch the ‘Thai New Wave,’ a movement of modern Thai horror since the early 2000s that leans into the aesthetic popularized by J-horror and K-horror—moody lighting, long-haired spirits, and psychological terror.
Then came Shutter (2004), a chilling ghost story about guilt and photographic evidence that became a global phenomenon. It was such a hit that it got remade in Hollywood and India.
And not to forget Pee Mak (2013), a supernatural comedy that turned the same tragic legend behind Nang Nak into a wildly entertaining, laugh-and-scream experience, it became the highest-grossing Thai film of all time.
Finally, more recently, The Medium (2021), a Thai-South Korean co-production, won Best Film at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and was submitted as Thailand’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards (but was not nominated).
Below, we’ll dive into the worthwhile titles in Thai horror and scary Thai movies that have thrilled, and moved audiences.
The Seduction Game
#Thriller
Directed by: Chalart Sriwanna
A newlywed couple takes in a man who’s lost his memory. Things get complicated when the wife starts having an affair with him, and during their moments of intimacy, bits, and pieces of his memories start to come back. Hoping to uncover where he hid a large stash of money, she decides to keep the affair going…
The director, Chalart Sriwanna, is an experienced filmmaker. The film stands out for its attention to detail in visual composition, lighting, and performance, all aimed at maintaining the suspense and the protagonist’s emotional unraveling. While this tale is fun and even erotic, it doesn’t take away from being a thriller movie about a crime. The characters’ choices, whether driven by lust or greed, always feel like they come from a deeper place. It’s steamy, but there’s more going on under the surface.
The Box
#Thriller
Directed by: Chalart Sriwanna
The Box is by the same director, Chalart Sriwanna, and further explores the overlapping of very real human weaknesses with mystery and supernatural.
After dreaming of her late mother urging her to retrieve a chest from a house in Bangkok, Jane travels there and is welcomed by the homeowner, who invites her to stay the night. Strange things begin to unfold, especially after she gives the chest away—her only connection to her mother. Soon, Jane is having disturbing nightmares about her mother asking about a mysterious cash register.
Determined to understand the visions, she tracks the chest down to a wealthy man living in an isolated suburban mansion. At first, he seems polite, even charming. But it doesn’t take long for Jane to realize he’s hiding a horrifying secret.
P
#Horror
Directed by: Paul Spurrier
P is one of those horror films that sneaks up on you, but not with jump scares. Directed by British filmmaker Paul Spurrier, it tells a deeply Thai story in subject and setting, which comes through the lens of an outsider with a surprising amount of insight.
At the center of the film is Dau, a teenage girl raised by her grandmother in a remote Thai village. Taught the old ways of Khmer magic, Dau is forced to move to Bangkok to help pay for her grandmother’s treatment. She ends up working at a bar catering to foreign men, using magic to protect herself. But the deeper she leans into the spells, the more she starts to lose control.
What follows is part urban drama, part folk horror, and part ancient ritual. The movie doesn’t just focus on gore and shock value. There are curses, possession, and a ghost pulled from Thai folklore (the ‘phi pob’)—but it’s grounded in something very human. Instead of relying on tired tropes (like the pale girl with long black hair), the film draws on lesser-known Thai myths.
The authorities were reportedly uneasy with how the film portrayed the sex industry, a topic that’s usually swept under the rug in domestic cinema. And while it stirred controversy in Thailand, it also helped spark conversations about how horror can be used to reflect on real social issues.
The Forest
#Horror #Thriller #Mystery
Directed by: Paul Spurrier
Shot by the same daring foreigner, The Forest is a slow-burn story about silence: both of a bullied child and the kind that settles over a village locked in.
The story begins with Preecha, a former monk who takes up a teaching position in a quiet, rural Thai village. He arrives with good intentions and a clear sense of purpose, hoping to make a meaningful difference. The local headman keeps a grip over everything, enforcing a kind of spiritual paralysis to maintain order. Amid this, Preecha becomes invested in helping Ja, a mute girl who is bullied at school and neglected at home. One day, after being chased by her classmates, Ja runs away into the nearby forest. There, she meets a boy who may or may not be entirely human.
Spurrier’s wife, Jiriya Spurrier, assisted in production, and the film benefited from its grassroots approach. The child actors were discovered at a local school near the remote shooting location, and their performances are raw. The Forest lets the audience sit with its characters, their choices, and their discomforts.
Explore Thai Horror Films at the Intersection of Culture and Mystery on Uvotv
For viewers curious to go beyond the usual scares, it’s always worth checking out Thai movies and horror movies on UVOtv, a quiet treasure trove of lesser-known titles exploring fear through folklore, grief, and social critique.
