Thai drama faces animal cruelty allegations over sedated cat scene

The controversy erupted after a distressing moment in the show, which is currently streaming on Netflix, showed the cat drinking a liquid from a dish before convulsing and "dying", the South China Morning Post reported.

The scene, which aired as part of an episode, quickly sparked outrage among viewers and animal rights advocates. Critics have demanded that the series be pulled until the Department of Livestock Development completes an investigation into the matter.

In response to the backlash, Channel One31, the network that airs the show, issued a public apology for making viewers feel "uncomfortable". The network clarified that an animal modeling company had been hired to handle the filming of the scene, and that the cat's owner was present during the sedation process, The Independent reported.

Sant Srikaewlaw, the director of "Mae Yua", also expressed regret over the incident. In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, he said he was "saddened" by the public reaction and apologized for the distress caused. Last week, he had assured the public that the cat was "safe and healthy" following the filming.

However, animal welfare experts have raised concerns. The Veterinary Council of Thailand warned that sedating a cat can pose risks to its health, potentially affecting its blood circulation and respiratory system.

PETA, the animal rights organization, condemned the practice as "reckless and dangerous".