Actor Defends Devil's Lawyer Series Against Thai Fishing Industry Criticism

Actor Natt Kijjirut has defended the Netflix series "Devil's Lawyer" against allegations that it damages Thailand's fishing industry reputation, insisting the show serves as a voice for important social issues. The Thai Fisheries Association had issued a warning to fishing vessel owners, operators, and port authorities across coastal provinces to be cautious about allowing film productions that might portray illegal labor practices, drug trafficking, and forced labor in Thai fishing operations. Concerns arose because the series is distributed on Netflix, a globally watched platform, and officials worried it could create misconceptions and harm the industry's image.

When asked if he was shocked by the controversy, Natt responded: "I apologize if it upset the Fisheries Department, but I'm not shocked because we anticipated this during filming. The answer is in the content itself. Ultimately, we didn't do anything wrong. Anyone who watches the series will understand what the fishing characters' intentions are. If you watch carefully, there's nothing damaging about it. We actually became a voice for what the series stands for."

Regarding potential backlash from the industry affecting future productions, Natt expressed confidence in Thai society: "I believe in our society more. I trust that viewers and people in various industries with concerns are ready. Everyone knows that a film's function is to reflect whatever exists in society—real or imagined. Films are entertainment. There are more important things than film. We know what our intentions are."

Natt praised Thai filmmakers and the current wave of Thai content taking on difficult stories: "I admire Thai filmmakers. I admire what we managed to do with Devil's Lawyer. I admire this year's wave of Thai content where we can tell harder stories. I admire investors who are more open-minded and the audience's movement toward defending correct issues. Society is more ready than some people might think."