Memoir Of Rati (Thai Series)

It’s a nice change of pace to step away from the usual Thai BL dramas and dive into a historical piece instead. Just like some of the other period shows I've checked out, this one has a ton of charm, and that nostalgic vibe of old villages and royal settings really makes it a fun watch. Of course, the main plot is about love winning out against the odds, but it’s actually deeper than that. You get all this quiet longing and a lot of tension between what people are expected to do and what they actually want. It feels very real watching these guys try to navigate their feelings while being stuck between strict social rules and what’s in their hearts. The show runs for 12 episodes, and each one is about 45 minutes long.

The story follows Rati, an orphan of Thai descent who grew up in France and comes back to Siam to work as an interpreter. During his first few days wandering the village, he crosses paths with Thee, who he assumes is just a regular guy. He’s surprised to find out later that Thee is actually a high-ranking nobleman in the Ministry of Education. The spark between them is instant. When the rest of the French group leaves, Rati is asked to stick around to teach French to the local officials to help smooth over international relations. Naturally, their romance hits a wall, mostly thanks to Thee’s grandmother. She’s obsessed with getting him married off to a woman to shut down any gossip, refusing to believe he could actually love a man. Meanwhile, Rati has to deal with a guy who hates him because he sees Rati as just a servant's kid who got lucky with a rich French family. We also get a side romance between a guy named Mek, who’s a Muay Thai fighter working odd jobs, and another nobleman named Dech. Their meeting really changes things for Dech, who finally sees how privileged he is compared to people struggling to survive. Both couples grow closer, but eventually, Rati has to head back to France, especially since a gay relationship in the early 1900s just wasn't a thing people accepted. Five years pass before Rati returns, but by then, Thee has moved up in his career enough that he can finally travel to France with Rati, while Mek and Dech are still going strong in their own lives.

Right off the bat, I have to say the colors in this show are gorgeous and super warm. They used a lot of wide shots of the river and really nailed the period details, which set the mood perfectly. Everything looks like it's bathed in golden hour light, and the silk outfits look amazing on screen. It’s clear they put a lot of work into making the show look nostalgic but still relatable. The plot doesn't get too bogged down in heavy politics; it stays focused on the forbidden love and the class divides. While both romances are sweet, I actually liked the second couple, Mek and Dech, even more than the leads. Their chemistry felt so natural and easy. Watching Dech stand up to his family’s expectations to be with Mek was really powerful, and Mek’s quiet way of showing his love was just beautiful. Rati and Thee were a bit more complicated since they were constantly torn between their duties to their country and their feelings for each other. Their "quiet rebellion" was showing that you can actually follow your dreams and still love whoever you want. Every actor was great, and I loved that there weren't any annoying side characters or pointless subplots to distract from the main story.

By mixing progressive ideas into a vintage setting, the show makes a strong point about human values without feeling out of place for the era. The historical backdrop is really what makes this one a winner and a joy to watch. (7.5/10)