Confirmed RuPaul’s Drag Race will make a Thai version of the show
Reality TV competition RuPaul’s Drag Race is sashaying its way to Thailand in a brand-new Thai series named Drag Race Thailand.
The Cultural phenomenon that is Drag Race has spanned nine seasons, has recently been renewed for a tenth season and has inspired the spin-off show’s RuPaul’s Drag U, and RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars.
It has been rumoured for years now that they will take the World of Wonder show global, with versions wanted in the UK and Germany, however, it seems Thailand has beaten them all to it.
RuPaul’s Drag Race has been nominated for several awards including Best Reality Competition Series (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
At last year’s MIPCOM festival in Cannes the Vice President of Katana Group Public Co. Ltd production company, Piyarat Kaljareuk, announced via Instagram that the company would be producing a Thai version of Drag Race, however, no further details were revealed.
With fans desperate for any information they can get on the upcoming series, Kaljareuk’s Instagram seems to be the place to find all the gossip.
It all kicked off when Kaljareuk posted an Instagram video showing part of a set with RuPaul’s own Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent playing in the background. He captioned the post: “On set of… today”.
A day later he made the rumoured series official when he posted the official logo for the show with the caption: “Start your engines!! … This new year, WE are preparing the juicy and glamorous present for you guys. “Drag Race Thailand, “confirmed! See you soon on #LINETV, a blast guaranteed!!
Drag Race Thailand was officially announced when Katana posted the official poster for the show (photo by @tae_kantana)
Since the official announcement was made Kaljareuk has been posting pictures on his Instagram revealing the hot pink tables and leopard print walls of the workroom, and the illuminated runway in all its fierce glory.
The official workroom for Drag Race Thailand is gag-worthy (Photo by @tae_kantana)
It has been revealed that top Thai drag queen Art Arya will be hosting the show, however, it has not yet been confirmed if Ru herself will make an appearance on the show or who will make up the panel of judges.
The presenter of Drag Race Thailand will be art_arya (photo from @tae_kantana)
Since its beginning in 2009 RuPaul’s Drag Race has earned itself a GLADD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program and has been nominated for four Critic’s Choice Television Awards. RuPaul herself has also won an Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.
The show has brought to the world’s attention some of the most talented drag acts, including Courtney Act, who is currently taking part in 2018’s Celebrity Big Brother, and Jinkx Monsoon who is fresh from voicing a ‘gem’ in Steven Universe and set to release an album on January 12.
There has been no confirmed start date for Drag Race Thailand, however for those craving a Drag Race fix RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars three premieres January 25 on VH1.
Hopefully, Drag Race Thailand will have just as much success as the US original, and following it will be a string of global versions of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
To give the Thai Drag Queens some words of wisdom from mother drag queen herself “Don’t fu** it up”.
