Doi Boy is a 2023 Thai neo-noir thriller directed by Nontawat Numbenchapol, marking his first fiction feature after a career built on acclaimed documentaries. The film world-premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in October 2023, then launched globally on Netflix on November 24, 2023.
The story follows Sorn, an ethnic Shan sex worker and undocumented refugee trying to build a future in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He is drawn into a complicated, risky relationship with a client named Ji, who is investigating Wuth — a political activist wanted by the government amid the mysterious disappearances of fellow activists. Netflix has described the film as shedding light on socio-political issues including human rights, border conflicts, and the lives of refugees in Thailand.
The cast includes Awat Ratanapintha, Arak Amornsupasiri, Aelm Thavornsiri, Panisara Rikulsurakan, Bhumibhat Thavornsiri, Ornjira Lamwilai, and Atthanee Tokeree.
Quick Facts
| Title | Doi Boy |
| Type | Film (Thriller / Drama) |
| Director | Nontawat Numbenchapol |
| World Premiere | Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), October 2023 |
| Streaming Release | Netflix, November 24, 2023 |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
| Production Company | Anti-Archive |
| Composers | Katenan Juntimathorn & Nannue Tipitier |
| Where to Watch | Netflix |
About Director Nontawat Numbenchapol
Nontawat Numbenchapol is a Thai filmmaker best known for factual, documentary-style work, including Boundary (2013), By the River (2013), and Soil Without Land (2019). Netflix has said Doi Boy was inspired in part by Soil Without Land, an 80-minute documentary about a young, stateless Shan man living in the buffer zone between Myanmar and northern Thailand who trains to become a soldier for the Shan State Army. Doi Boy marks Numbenchapol’s first fiction feature, and he both wrote and directed it, carrying his documentary eye for social realism into a scripted neo-noir story.
Doi Boy Cast & Characters
| Awat Ratanapintha | Sorn — a 21-year-old undocumented Shan immigrant, in his first lead film role |
| Arak “Pae” Amornsupasiri | Ji — a regular client who offers Sorn a dangerous deal |
| Aelm Thavornsiri | Wuth — a political activist wanted by the government |
Awat Ratanapintha won the Rising Star Award at the BIFF Asia Star Awards 2023 for his performance as Sorn.
Who Composed the Doi Boy Score?
The score for Doi Boy was composed by Katenan Juntimathorn and Nannue Tipitier. Katenan Juntimathorn is a Thai composer whose credits include Doi Boy (2023) as well as earlier work with director Nontawat Numbenchapol on his documentaries By the River (2013) and Soil Without Land (2019), making Doi Boy a continuation of an existing creative partnership rather than a one-off pairing. Nannue Tipitier is a Bangkok-based composer, sound designer, and electronic music producer. As of this writing, no standalone Doi Boy soundtrack album has been released on Spotify, Apple Music, or similar platforms — the score exists as part of the film itself.
Where to Watch Doi Boy
Doi Boy is streaming now on Netflix, where it launched globally on November 24, 2023, following its festival premiere at Busan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Doi Boy soundtrack?
Katenan Juntimathorn and Nannue Tipitier composed the score. Juntimathorn had previously scored director Nontawat Numbenchapol’s documentaries By the River and Soil Without Land, while Tipitier is a Bangkok-based composer and electronic music producer.
When was Doi Boy released?
Doi Boy premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2023, then launched globally on Netflix on November 24, 2023.
Is there a Doi Boy soundtrack album available?
No standalone soundtrack album has been released as of this writing. The score is only available as part of the film on Netflix.
What is Doi Boy about?
The film follows Sorn, an ethnic Shan refugee and sex worker in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who becomes entangled in a client’s risky scheme involving a wanted political activist, against a backdrop of border conflict and disappearing activists.
Where can I watch Doi Boy?
Doi Boy is streaming on Netflix.
Related reading: explore more titles in our Movie Soundtrack hub or browse other Netflix soundtrack guides.