Historical Genre

If You Liked Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat - a guide to the different historical genres out there. Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat is a historical lakorn that was a smash hit in Thailand and overseas it's one of the top rated lakorns in 2018. Traditionally, historical lakorns have tended to be subbed less, the language can be difficult for even experienced English subbers to translate and fewer fans demand them be subbed. But there have been some English subbed before and with the success of BPS, maybe more will be subbed.

So what are historical lakorns, and what are the different types of of historical lakorns? This post will walk you through the different English subbed historical lakorns out there.
If you want to find more genre info, check here and here for specific genres. This post is on marriage lakorns, and want to watch the lakorns in this post? Try here for completely subbed lakorns and here for incomplete lakorns (incomplete lakorns are in red below).

Historical lakorns take place in the Thailand's past, generally from ancient history, hundreds of years ago like in Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat which takes place over 300 years ago in the Ayutthaya era (1351-1767), to more recent time periods like the 1940s, 1950s and even the 1970s (Roy Ruk Hak Liam Tawan) would be considered history. There is another type of historical lakorn, but it is one that is rarely subbed, called boran lakorns. 

Roy Ruk Hak Liam Tawan

Boran lakorns are usually set in historical times, but they often feature many magical and fantasy elements like magic powers, talking animals and so on. The language in boran lakorns can be different as well. Boran lakorns feature history, but are more likely to be about myths, legends and fairy tales, so instead I will focus on historical lakorns that aren't Boran. 

Uthaitaewee 2017

Historical lakorns can have magic and some other fantasy elements in them just like in boran lakorns. The reason being is that a lot of historical dramas are set in both past and present times, as the reincarnation of a person is a big features in a lot of Thai lakorns. A ghost or spirit, usually a female, seeks revenge against the current reincarnation of her past love is a theme that shows up in a number of different lakorns such as in Pitsawat. 

Pitsawat

The last thing I want to discuss regarding historical lakorns is that most historical lakorns are heavy on the drama. In particular, historical dramas set in the ancient past almost always features a lot of tragedy, angst and drama. There are a few more lighter lakorns in more modern time periods, Neung Nai Suang, Prissana, and Wanida are more about relationships then history, but they too feature a lot of drama, even if they have more humorous moments. So if you're looking for more lighter fare, definitely check out the lakorns set in more modern times.

Neung Nai Suang

HISTORICAL LAKORNS

 Jao Ban Jao Ruen

Atitha, Bangkok Naruemit, Blood & Treasures, Botan Gleep Sudtai, Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat, Buang Athithan (2016), Buang Banjathorn 2017, Chart Suer Pun Mungkorn (2018), Ching Chang, Chumpae (2019), Dung Duang Haruetai, Jao Ban Jao Ruen,  Ka Badin, Kaen Sanaeha, Kehas See Dang, Khu Kam/Koo Gum (2013), Khun Seuk, Klin Kasalong, Krong Karm, Luerd Ruk Toranong (2016), Mafia Luerd Mungkorn Series, Malai Sarm Chai, Massaya (2000), Massaya, Meuh Dok Rak Ban/When Rak Blooms, Mongkut Saeng Jun,

Naree Rissaya

Nakee, Naree Rissaya (2016), Ngao Asoke (1999), Ngao Asoke 2008, Ngao Asoke 2016, Neung Nai Suang 2005, Neung Nai Suang 2015, Nueng Dao Fah Diew, Padiwaradda ~ Beloved Loyal Wife, Plerng Chimplee ~ Flame of Chimplee, Plerng Prang Tian (2019), Prissana, Rak Nakara, Roy Fun Tawan Duerd, Roy Mai, Roy Ruk Hak Liam Tawan (2014), Sai Lohit (2018), Sa Kao Duen, Sao Noi 2012, Sapai Jao ~ Royal Daughter-In-Law, Sarp Phusa (2009), Sataya Tis Tarn (2019), Silamanee, Sroy Saeng Jan, Sud Sai Pan, Suparburoot Jutathep Series (), Tae Pang Korn 2017, Tard Rak, Tawipob, Thong Ake Mor Yah Tah Chaloang, Wanalee, Wanida, Wan Sawart (2015), Wiang Roy Dao ~ Home Of A Hundred Stars

GHOST/HORROR

Buang

Blood & Treasures or Pitsawad/Pitsawat, Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat, Buang (2012), Buang Athithan (2016), Bangkok Naruemit (2018), Jao Ban Jao Ruen, Klin Kasalong, Plerng Prang Tian (2019, Pom Arthun, Roy Mai, Sarp Phusa (2009), Wiang Roy Dao ~ Home Of A Hundred Stars

If You Liked Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat

Buang (2012) - not that similar, but does feature a vengeful ghost, black magic and past and present.

Buang Banjathorn 2017 - Nang'ek travels to past through magic bed, different time period and not focused on politics as much.

Karm Wayla Tharm Ha Ruk - man travels to the future, instead of past.

Tawipob/Tawee Pope - like BPS, nang'ek travels back to past and falls in love.

Wan Sawart (2015) - twins like BPS, but no time traveling, but talks about past life.

PAST LIVES/REINCARNATION

Pitsawad/Pitsawat

Blood & Treasures/Pitsawat, Buang (2012), Jao Ban Jao Ruen, Klin Kasalong, Plerng Prang Tian (2019), Roy Mai, Sataya Tis Tarn (2019), Sroy Saeng Jan (2007), Tae Pang Korn 2017, Wan Sawart (2015)

RECOMMENDATIONS

Suparburoot Jutathep Series

Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat, Blood & Treasures or Pitsawad/Pitsawat, Khu Kam/Koo Gum (2013), Mafia Luerd Mungkorn Series, Massaya, Nueng Dao Fah Diew (2018), Neung Nai Suang 2005, Neung Nai Suang (2015), Ngao Asoke (1999), Padiwaradda ~ Beloved Loyal Wife, Prissana, Sao Noi 2012, Sud Sai Pan, Suparburoot Jutathep Series, Wanida

TIMELINE

The source for some of these time periods came from this article, so check it out for more details. My thanks to the author Ceki.

Medieval Thailand

Nueng Dao Fah Diew

Ayutthaya period (1351–1767)
Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat 
Nueng Dao Fah Diew

Pitsawad/Pitsawat

Ka Badin

Modernization of Thailand - 1855 - 1932

Sao Noi 2012

Look Tard ~ Child of a Slave

Sao Noi 2012

Tawipob

Modern Period - 1930s - 1970s

Luerd Ruk Toranong

Bangkok Naruemit, Ban Sai Thong, Ching Chang, Jark Fun Su Nirandon, 

Khu Kam/Koo Gum (2013), Luerd Ruk Toranong, Mafia Luerd Mungkorn Series, Massaya, Neung Nai Suang, Neung Nai Suang 2015, Ngao Asoke, Padivarada ~ Beloved Loyal Wife,  Prissana, Sud Sai Pan, Suparburoot Jutathep Series, Wanida 

TIME TRAVEL

Tawipob

Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat, Buang Banjathorn 2017, Karm Wayla Tharm Ha Ruk, Likit Haeng Jan, Roy Mai, Tae Pang Korn (2005), Tae Pang Korn 2017, Tawipob, Tunnel, Wan Sawart (2015)

This is by no means a complete or completely accurate list.
Sources: Asianfuse wiki, mydramalist, asaianfuse forum, as credited 
4/28/2020