The Thai drama series "Mae Yua" has sparked controversy following Episode 5, which included a scene depicting a sedated cat, leading to public concerns about potential animal cruelty. Director San Srikaewlor clarified via Facebook that sedation was indeed used but under expert supervision, ensuring the cat's safety throughout filming. He emphasized that the cat, which has since fully recovered, was closely monitored by its owner and professionals, with health check-up clips provided post-filming for reassurance. In response to the backlash, the production team committed to obtaining further health verification for the cat to address public concerns.

Comparatively, international standards for animal actors were highlighted by a popular Thai Facebook page, which cited the recent film Anatomy of A Fall. In that film, a simulated scene involving a sedated dog was carefully crafted without any harm to the animal, employing professional training and CGI effects. Dog actor "Messi," trained under strict supervision for this role, required 22 days of filming with personalized care and pre-training exercises that simulated unconsciousness without sedation. These efforts demonstrated an adherence to animal welfare, providing a contrast to the Thai drama and prompting calls for improved standards in Thai entertainment to prevent unnecessary risks to animals.