Thai Drama and Quality Standards: An Analysis of Nangfa Kammakorn Under the NBTC Quality Assessment Criteria

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the quality of the television drama Nangfa Kammakorn using the television programme content quality assessment criteria developed by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). A content analysis of all 29 episodes was conducted using two assessment frameworks: the standard quality criteria for television dramas and the criteria for quality exceeding standard benchmarks.

The findings revealed that the drama achieved a very high standard-quality score of 93.13%. It consistently provided entertainment while incorporating useful ideas, information, and substantive knowledge throughout all episodes. However, some episodes contained violent content, offensive language, and derogatory representations. Under the criteria for quality exceeding standard benchmarks, the drama received a score of 56.50%, classified as fair. Its strengths included the promotion of morality, ethics, family relationships, and appreciation of social diversity. Nevertheless, the drama showed limitations in stimulating creativity and presenting constructive approaches to problem-solving.

The trial application of the draft drama quality assessment criteria indicates that the framework can systematically distinguish between content that should be promoted and content that requires caution. The study recommends revising overlapping indicators, developing an assessment manual with illustrative examples, and adopting a rating-scale scoring system to enhance clarity and support the practical application of the criteria in media production and regulatory contexts.