Can adversaries put away their past and join hands again? Apparently some can, at least in the case of actresses Tanyares "Tanya" Engtrakul and Savika "Pinky" Chaiyadej, who are starring in the online series Seuk Song Sab, or The Bitch War, that aims to promote tourism in Thailand's Southernmost provinces.
If you are the least bit aware of the pair's dramatic history, you may think we're joking. Except we're not. Years ago, news exploded about an alleged affair between Tanyares' husband and Savika, and it turned into a media fanfare that soon involved leaked phone conversations and all that jazz. Suffice to say, nobody in a million years would expect the two actresses to exist in the same room after that saga. Until now.
In The Bitch War, Tanyares and Savika play a pair of real estate queens and frenemies who are very competitive with one another. Soon, the two find themselves fighting to win over the same guy (ahem), as well as a piece of land he owns in the South. The series takes its two leads through beautiful locations in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani that most of the general public would perceive as danger zones as the area has been plagued by unrest and armed conflict for over a decade.
This online series is every bit the melodrama as the next lakorn and more. More lighthearted than what we expected, the series is fun and over the top (if not a little absurd), filled to the brim with dialogue that would make people raise their eyebrows. One of the scenes from the first episode (aired last week) saw Tanyares speaking to Savika: "I wouldn't expect you to dare to steal what's mine."
Yes, it's that dramatic.
As you watch, you'll often wonder if there's anything boiling underneath all that hilarity of onscreen banter and catfighting. And it's all part of the charm, really. What's real? What's lakorn? We're definitely as curious as we're entertained.
To make it all the more interesting, the series is helmed by Tanyares' husband who reportedly suggested the casting of the two actresses. While unexpected, the casting choice is quite on point. The message is loud and clear. If two of showbiz's biggest foes can kiss and make up, then perhaps there's hope for peace after all.
The Bitch War airs weekly on Saturdays at 8pm. Watch it on Suddantai Thailand's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Visit facebook.com/SuddantaiThailand.
