THE PARADISE OF THORNS (วิมานหนาม) (2024)

Genre: Drama/Thriller
Director: Boss Naruebet Kuno
Cast: Jeff Satur, Engfa Waraha, Pongsakorn “Toey” Mettarikanon, Harit “Keng” Buayoi, Srida Puapimol
Runtime: 2 hrs 11 mins
Rating: R21
Released By: Golden Village Pictures
Official Website:

Opening Day: 10 October 2024

Synopsis: 'Thongkam' and 'Sek', a devoted gay couple, have worked tirelessly to build a life together, including owning a house and a durian orchard in Mae Hong Son. Tragedy strikes when Sek dies suddenly in an accident, revealing that they were never legally married in Thailand, leaving Thongkam with no rights to their assets. The house and orchard now belong to Sek's mother, who moves in with her adopted daughter 'Mo' and gardener 'Jingna'. Thongkam must now fight to reclaim the fruits of his love and labor.

Movie Review:

We should have seen it coming – for a drama that takes place on a durian orchard, it almost seemed appropriate that the king of fruits is used as an assault weapon. Without giving away too much, the is a sequence towards the end of the movie that sees a character hitting a nemesis with a durian. And we kid you not, the reaction from the audience during the preview screening of this Thai movie was unanimous. We might have been comfortably seated in the cinema, but man, seeing someone on screen hit by a durian is psychologically excruciating.

But that’s not the only highlight of the movie, which we thought was a heartwarming drama, considering that it is from Thai film studio GDH, known for feel good flicks like Thitipong Kerdthongtawee’s OMG! Oh My Girl (2022) Atta Hemwadee’s Not Friends (2023) and most recently, Pat Boonnitipat’s How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024).

We were expecting a warm and fuzzy tale, especially when the 132 minute movie starts with Thongkam (Jeff Satur) and Sek (Pongsakorn “Toey” Mettarikanon), two men who are deeply in love (hence the R21 rating), talking about their shared future on a durian orchard. The view is breathtaking, and the characters are romantically linked. Who would have thought that the movie is going to take a very dramatic turn?

When Sek dies from an accident involving a durian tree (don’t laugh), Thongkam sees Sek’s eldery mother Saeng (Srida Puapimol) moving into the house with her adopted daughter Mo (Engfa Waraha). Later in the story, Mo’s brother Jingna (Harit “Keng” Buayoi) would show up as well. This complication arises from the fact that Thongkam and Sek never sorted out the legal matters as a gay couple, and the film is probably making a statement about that in the current state of things in the country.

When we first see Saeng mourning for her dead son, it is natural to feel sad for the poor lady. But things become a little fishy when she keeps Sek’s wedding ring, and demands to sleep on the bed that he was sharing with Thongkam. You know that a soap opera is brewing, and there will be tension in the picturesque countryside backdrop.

Then we have Mo, who suddenly skips with joy when she learns that she is staying for good in the house. The scene is wickedly sinister, and sets the tone for the drama that is about to unfold. It is clear that the rest of the film will see Thongkam trying to outwit the two women, and another gay romance develops with Jingna’s appearance on the durian orchard.

Directed by Boss Naruebet Kuno, the movie showcases wonderful performances from its ensemble cast, and is melodramatically shows the desperate measures humans are capable of to achieve their selfish means. You can expect lots of shouting between characters, and all these dramatic showdowns take place in a charming backdrop. The effect on audiences is a tension filled viewing experience where you can’t be sure who to side with, as each character has his or her own sad story to tell. If put in their shoes, your ugly side will surface as well. 

Movie Rating:

(An intense melodrama that exposes the dark side of human nature contrasted against the charming backdrop of a durian orchard)

Review by John Li