A popular Thai drama, The Empress of Ayodhaya, is under fire after viewers accused the show of potentially abusing animals.

The outrage began when a controversial scene showed a cat seemingly convulsing on the ground.

Sparking serious concerns about whether the animal had been mistreated to achieve such a realistic reaction.

In the scene, a woman has the cat drink her tea to see if it has been poisoned.

Moments later, the cat appears to suffer, writhing and purring until it “dies.”

Audiences immediately flooded social media with concerns, questioning the methods used to make the cat’s reaction so convincing.

Even as the show’s producers tried to calm the storm, assuring the public of the cat’s safety, a boycott campaign gained momentum online.

Director Sant Srikaenlaw and television channel One31 responded swiftly, stating that the cat had been carefully anaesthetized under expert supervision and had since woken up safely.

They posted photos and videos of the cat to assure audiences it was unharmed.

However, the backlash continued to grow as the public remained sceptical about the use of anaesthesia purely for entertainment purposes.

The Veterinary Council of Thailand, echoing the concerns of viewers, issued a warning on the dangers of sedating animals.

They promised further action and called for an examination of the cat to confirm its well-being.

Thailand’s Livestock Department also announced an investigation into possible animal cruelty, deepening the controversy surrounding one of the year’s most anticipated Thai dramas.

PETA weighed in, condemning the sedation as “reckless, dangerous, and cruel.”

They emphasized that modern technology, like CGI and animatronics, makes it possible to avoid using real animals in scenes that could put them at risk.

The controversy has cast a shadow over The Empress of Ayodhaya, once celebrated for its portrayal of 16th-century Siamese royal life.