The Paradise of Thorns () is a 2024 Thai romantic drama film directed and written by Naruebet Kuno in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Jeff Satur and Engfa Waraha. The film was released theatrically in Thailand on 22 August 2024 and had its international premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024.
Premise An unmarried gay couple starts a durian farm together. When one of them dies, the surviving partner fights to regain their shared property, which is seized by his family.
Thongkham (Jeff Satur) and Sek (Pongsakorn Mettarikanon), a same-sex couple, have dedicated themselves to hard work and have managed to acquire a large house, land, and durian orchard in Mae Hong Son province. They had hoped to make this place their happy sanctuary. However, a tragic turn of events occurs when Sek suddenly passes away. Thongkham also discovers the harsh reality of Thai law, which does not recognize same-sex partnerships. As a result, all the assets they had accumulated together, including the house, land, and durian farm, are inherited by Saeng (Seeda Puapimon), Sek's mother. Saeng then brings her adopted daughter, Mo (Engfa Waraha), to live with them at the house. With no other choice, Thongkham must fight against the injustice of the law to protect and reclaim their dream home.
Cast Jeff Satur as Thongkham Kronlongsuk Engfa Waraha as Mo Jongyoi Seeda Puapimon as Nang Saeng Boonkamlue, Sek's mother Harit Buayoi (Keng) as Jingna Jongyoi, Mo's younger brother Pongsakorn Mettarikanon (Toey) as Seksan Boonkamlue
Production In March 2023, the project was first announced by GDH 559 at its 2023 press conference under the title The Project D and was scheduled to be released at the end of the year. GDH originally cast Krit Amnuaydechkorn in the role of Thongkham but he withdrew due to scheduling conflict and was eventually replaced by Jeff Satur.
The project had been showcased by GDH 559 at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Release The Paradise of Thorns was released in Thai theatres on 22 August 2024. The film became the third highest-grossing Thai film of 2024 after grossing more than ฿100 million ($2.9 million). It had its international premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024 during its Discovery program.
The film began screening on 19 September in Australia and New Zealand; 25 September in the Philippines, 27 September in Cambodia, 3 October in Laos, 10 October in Singapore, 1 November in Vietnam, 6 November in Indonesia, and 8 November in Taiwan.
It was released on Netflix on 9 January 2025.
Awards and nominations +Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award Year Category Nominee/work Result Baannang Klang Lakorn Awards2025 Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Films (Theatrical and Streaming) Seeda Puapimon Bangkok Pride Awards2025 Pride Popular of Movie The Paradise of Thorns Feed Y Capital Awards 2024 Film of the Year Award Ganesha Awards2025 Best Screenplay Best Supporting Actress Seeda Puapimon GQ Thailand Men of the Year 2024 Actor of the Year Jeff Satur Howe Awards 2024 Hottest Actress Award Engfa Waraha Jakarta Film Week 2024 Global Feature Award The Paradise of Thorns Kazz Awards 2025 Hottest Film Award The Best Actor of the Year Harit Buayoi Kom Chad Luek Awards2025 Best Film The Paradise of Thorns Best Director - Film Naruebet Kuno Best Actor - Film Jeff Satur Best Actress - Film Engfa Waraha Best Supporting Actor - Film Harit Buayoi Best Supporting Actress - Film Seeda Puapimon Best Screenplay Naruebet Kuno, Naron Cherdsoongnern, Karakade Norasethaporn Mchoice & Mint Awards 2025 Best Rookie of the Year Harit Buayoi Nine Entertain Awards 2025 Creative Team of the Year The Paradise of Thorns Leading Actress of the Year Engfa Waraha Sanook Top of the Year Awards 2024 Best Movie of the YearThe Paradise of Thorns Best Actor of the Year Jeff Satur Best Actress of the Year Engfa Waraha Suphannahong National Film Awards 2025 Best Picture The Paradise of Thorns Best Director Naruebet Kuno Best Screenplay Naruebet Kuno, Naron Cherdsoongnern, Karakade Norasethaporn Best Actor Jeff Satur Best Actress Engfa Waraha Best Supporting Actor Harit Buayoi Best Supporting Actress Seeda Puapimon Best Costume Design Chayanuch Sewakwatana Best Art Direction Songsak Kamutira Best Original Score Hua Lamphong Riddim Best Original Song "Rain Wedding" Best Sound Naruebet Piemyai Best Film Editing Thammarat Sumetsubhachok Best Cinematography Tawanwad Wanavit Thai Film Director Awards 2025 Best Picture The Paradise of Thorns Best Director Naruebet Kuno Best Screenplay Best Cinematography The Paradise of Thorns Best Film Editing Best Music Score Best Actress in Leading Role Engfa Waraha Best Supporting Actress Seeda Puapimon Thailand Box Office Movie Awards2024 Movie of the Year The Paradise of Thorns Director of the Year Naruebet Kuno Actor of the Year Jeff Satur Actress of the Year Engfa Waraha Supporting Actor of the Year Harit Buayoi Pongsakorn Mettarikanon Supporting Actress of the Year Seeda Puapimon Original Soundtrack of the Year "Rain Wedding" Thailand Social Awards 2025 Best Content Performance on Social Media – Movie The Paradise of Thorns Thailand Y Content Awards 2024 Best Film The Viral Hits Awards 2025 Best Film of the Year The Viral Hits Love Moment Awards2026 People's Choice Award for Film of Enduring Impact The Viral Hits Thailand Spotlight Awards2025 Best Film Trust Gu Thai Film Awards 2025 Original Score Original Song "Rain Wedding" Zoomdara Awards 2025 Hottest Movie of the Year The Paradise of Thorns
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