Drag Race Thailand, S3E10: The Recap
Are you up to speed?
Drag Race Thailand is reaching the conclusion of Season 3 and we have a winner!
The main challenge
As is the custom in a grand finale, the Top 4 got to star in a music video - the track was RuPaul's Bring Back My Girls.
This was cute and the Top 4 are all confident and compelling performers.
The criticism that has been levelled at this season of Drag Race Thailand is that - compared to the first two seasons - it seems to be leaning into a blend of Western and Thai cultural influences, presumably to appeal to a broader/global audience.
This music video challenge was another example of that. It was all very competently delivered but it felt a bit "generic Drag Race" that could have been lifted from any of the franchises around the world.
The Runway
The finale runway is always a great opportunity to present some Eleganza Extravanza, and we got to see the entire cast deliver their finale looks.
- Spicy gave us a red look with a dramatic silver tiara headpiece.
- Zepee gave us glamorous showgirl.
- Gawdland gave us Marilyn Monroe.
- Frankie went for a spooky-drag look that I didn't quite understand.
Everyone looked good but - out of the Top 4 - I think Zepee's burlesque showgirl probably had the most impact.
The judging
We went from a Top 4 down to a Final 2.
Both Spicy and Gawdland were eliminated at this stage, leaving us with a showdown between Frankie and Zepee.
The lip-sync
The song was Pra Wut Sart by Christina Aguilar. It's an upbeat, perky track.
This was the first time that Frankie has had to lip-sync on the show and they did a solid job.
Zepee had a more dynamic performance - able to use her ostrich-feather fans to illustrate her performance, and she seemed more confident in moving around the stage.
If we were judging it solely on this lip-sync or solely on this episode, the crown probably would have gone to Zepee. However, if we look across the season, Frankie has clearly been to the standout competitor.
At the end of the day, Frankie was declared the winner. Deserved.
Season 3, done!
The cast
- Frankie Wonga: Winning the first episode was a great way to start the season and she's effortlessly maintained that momentum. Frankie is the winner of Season 3.
- Zepee: Zepee hit this competition with confidence and she's delivered a very consistent performance throughout the season.
- Gawdland: It's been a great season for Gawdland - cute and feisty she's tackled everything with intent and energy. A Top 4 finish is a great result.
- Spicy Sunshine: The win in Snatch Game turned things around for Spicy, and literally against the odds she made it all the way to Top 4.
- Nane Sphera: Nane has been super-consistent throughout the competition - a bit of a surprise that she was eliminated in Episode 8, beaten in the lip-sync by Spicy.
- Gigi Ferocious: I thought that Gigi might have been our winner but we reached a point where it seemed that she'd given us everything we were going to get. Eliminated in Episode 7, beaten in the lip-sync by Nane.
- Siam Phusri: She's based in the US, which made her the outsider in this cast. She did okay but ultimately was undone by the acting challenge. Beaten in the lip-sync by Gigi.
- Benze Diva: After a solid start, things got a bit shaky for Benze and the Snatch Game was the end of the road. Beaten in the lip-sync by Gigi.
- Shortgun: We never really got to see what Shortgun excels at. It's been a growth experience for her. Beaten in the lip-sync by Benze.
- Kara Might: Kara got lost in the mix in the early stages of this season. Beaten in the lip-sync by Spicy.
- Srirasha Hotsauce: Never really found her feet in this competition, Srirasha is the Pork Chop of the season - beaten in the lip-sync by Spicy.
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Thailand?
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Thailand? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is it legal to be gay in Thailand?
Yes – homosexuality was decriminalised in 1956.
The age of consent was equalised in 1997.
Is there Marriage Equality in Thailand?
Yes. Legislation has now been passed that will enable same-sex couples to get married under Marriage Equality provisions. This will begin to take effect from January 2025.
Does Thailand have anti-discrimination protections based on sexuality?
Yes – protections were introduced in 2015. There are a range of exemptions to the protections that were implemented, so it’s not the strongest framework however it’s better than nothing.
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Thailand?
Thailand is a relatively accepting kind of place and there is a vibrant and visible LGBTQ community. The country welcomes LGBTQ tourism.