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[title]If you’re done with the same old Father’s Day routines, here’s a fresh idea. Skip the malls, dodge the traffic, and settle in for a Thai movie marathon at home. We’ve handpicked six titles that cover the entire emotional buffet, whether your dad’s a softie, a thrill-seeker, or a strong dad who claims he ‘doesn’t cry at films’ (yet somehow always does). Expect laughter, misty eyes and maybe an unexpected hug. Sit tight on the sofa, grab some snacks and the tissues (in case some tears fall). Lights off and pick your fave.
Beautiful Wonderful Perfect (2005)
If you long for the era when Apiruj Mingkwan delivered tear-jerkers that left entire cinemas sniffling, this one’s a forgotten treasure worth revisiting. Beautiful Wonderful Perfect follows the tender bond between Tong, a young boy with Down syndrome, and his father, Samruay (played by comedy legend Nong Cha-cha-cha), who shares the same condition. Tong eventually befriends Lookkaew, a bright and warm-hearted girl who sees him for exactly who he is. The film captures the fragile, unwavering love between imperfect people doing their best in a world that isn’t always kind.
But things take a turn when Tong and Lookkaew get lost in the city, leaving Samruay to embark on a heartfelt mission to bring his son home. This is pure father–child devotion wrapped in innocence and heartache. Warning from us: keep tissues within arm’s reach.
The Little Comedian (2010)
Time for something lighter. If your dad loves a good laugh, this feel-good family comedy will hit the spot. Directed by Witthaya Thongyooyong and Mesa Tharathorn, The Little Comedian tells the story of Tok, a teenage boy raised in a family of cafe comedians. His dad dreams of Tok becoming Thailand’s next great comic, but there’s one tiny plot twist: Tok isn’t funny. At all.
What unfolds is a warm, witty tale about expectations, growing pains and finding each other in the awkwardness. It’s an easy watch packed with charm, chuckles and that familiar Thai family warmth. Perfect for dads who think they’re the funniest person in the house.
Little Cupid (2008)
Switching gears to a chaotic little rom-com-meets-family-adventure. Little Cupid follows Mum, a small-town guy chasing his dream of becoming a tour guide in Bangkok. He ends up working as a caretaker in a fancy mansion, and on his first night, a sharp-witted kid named Deaw barges in and calls him… ‘Dad.’
Deaw insists Mum must marry his mother quickly or risk a cosmic consequence involving dog reincarnation. The duo’s odd-couple chemistry drives the story as they stumble through misunderstandings and reluctant fatherhood. A light and lively pick that works with any crowd.
My God Father (2020)
If you and your dad have had your ups and downs, this one might just bridge the gap. My God Father spins a playful time-warp tale about Got, a young street racer who wakes up after a crash only to discover he’s been transported to 1998 - one year before he was born.
There, he meets Prem, his father, as a rebellious young gang leader. What starts as a bizarre encounter spirals into a tangle of friendship, conflict and an unexpected love triangle involving the same girl. But beneath the humour and temporal chaos is a sincere story about misunderstandings, regrets and the parts of our parents’ past we never knew. A surprisingly healing watch for families who might need it.
Laddaland (2011)
To the brave dads (and braver children): this iconic Thai horror film is your Father’s Day adrenaline injection. Laddaland centres on Thee, an office worker determined to redeem himself by buying his family their dream home in Chiang Mai. Haunted by guilt for being an inadequate husband and father, he’s ready to rebuild everything from scratch.
But on the very first night, a brutal murder in the neighbourhood shatters any hope of a fresh start. The film’s infamous Burmese housemaid ghost delivers the shivers, but the emotional core lies in Thee’s desperate struggle to protect his family while the pressure of being ‘the man of the house’ crushes him from within.
Home for Rent (2023)
For the finale, we sink into a fever dream stitched from property deals, quiet fanaticism and the kind of domestic terror that sits just behind the wallpaper. Home for Rent follows Ning and Kawin, a couple who move into a condo for convenience and rent out their home to new tenants. But strange signs begin to emerge: Kawin’s behaviour shifts and Ning spots a mysterious triangular tattoo on his back that matches the symbol worn by the tenants.
As the tension tightens and danger looms over their seven-year-old daughter, Ing, Ning must fight against the invisible forces pulling her family into something sinister. The scares hit hard and the emotional stakes hit harder. A gripping pick for families who love edge-of-your-seat thrills.