Samli the Cat Controversy: Behind-the-Scenes Drama of ‘The Empress of Ayodhaya’

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In a rather peculiar twist surrounding the Thai period drama, “The Empress of Ayodhaya” (or Mae Yuhua, if you’re more familiar with the local tongue), the spotlight hasn’t just been on the acclaimed performances or the lush depictions of bygone eras. Instead, a furry protagonist—an unassuming black cat named Samli—has found itself at the center of a controversy tinged with shades of the dramatic arts meeting animal ethics.

The drama’s fifth episode stirred quite a furor when audiences were left perturbed by a scene that featured Samli going through what appeared to be a death throe. The sequence showed the feline sipping a mysterious solution before it convulsed, wailed, and theatrically ‘expired.’ Curiosity led to concern, and concern fanned the flames of suspicion: what in the world happened on set?

The Department of Livestock Development, led by the watchful eye of director-general Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, launched an inquiry on November 13—just days after Samli’s dramatic debut—only to uncover a performance aided not by Shakespearean method acting, but by a more modern, medicinal intervention.

According to the investigation, Samli’s seemingly realistic portrayal was the result of being administered a sedative, the same kind commonly used in a veterinary setting to prepare animals for anesthesia. This revelation came from the cat’s owner, who although lacking a formal veterinary license, claimed to have considerable experience in wrangling animal actors for TV and film productions. It’s one thing to encourage an Oscar-worthy performance, entirely another to achieve it in this manner.

This episode unfolded on the historic backdrops of the Ancient City, or Muang Boran, in Samut Prakan province, setting the stage for a scene now infamous for all the wrong reasons. And it’s here where the drama’s back-story pivots from on-camera artistry to legal entanglement.

Mr. Somchuan has steered the Division of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Services toward filing charges against those involved, leveraging the 2014 Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animal Act. Specifically, Sections 20 and 22 of this legislation have been called into action. Section 20 prohibits anyone from engaging in any act deemed as cruel to animals without proper justification, while Section 22 mandates that animal owners must provide adequate welfare—essentially good, loving care—to their animals, in line with regulations prescribed by the Minister.

The stakes? A potential two-year vacation behind bars and/or a financial reprimand of up to 40,000 baht for any breeches against Section 20. Ignoring the welfare guidelines set out in Section 22 invites similar monetary penalties. Samli’s owner, along with others responsible, now face the legal music of these provisions.

In the meantime, an investigative veterinary team swung into action to reassure the public about Samli’s health. Their examination detected no anomalies in the daring feline superstar. Intrigues of technology added a twist to the tale too: AI was employed to confirm that Samli, the cat examined, was indeed the same Samli that caused the stir on-screen—an identity check more advanced than any Broadway playbill.

As the curtain draws to a close on this off-screen drama, it’s a poignant reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the spotlight—whether the performer walks upright or struts on four paws. “The Empress of Ayodhaya” may continue to enchant audiences with tales of yore, but it faces a contemporary reality check wherein even feline thespians deserve a safe bark stage for their craft.