Over the years Thai entertainment industry has produced a number of outstanding action movies, especially Thai martial arts movies. Thai action movies have garnered global recognition and acclaim. Films like "Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior" and "The Raid 2" have earned international cult followings and critical acclaim, putting Thai cinema on the world map.
The influence of Thai action cinema can be seen in Hollywood productions, with directors and choreographers drawing inspiration from Thai martial arts and stunt techniques. This cross-pollination of ideas has enriched both Thai and international cinema. Let's explore some of the most awesome Thai action movies, you should keep these movies on your must-watch list.
Bangkok Dangerous
Bangkok Dangerous (Небезпечний Бангкок) is a Thai action movie. The movie is directed & written by The Pang Brothers. The movie follows the story of a deaf-mute gunman named "Kong", an assassin for hire who can neither hear nor see his gunshots or victims. He receives his guidance through Aom, a stripper in Bangkok, who rides on his back and gives him directions. Because of his disability, he was taunted by other children and grew up into an angry young man.
- Year: 2000
- IMDB: 6.5/10
- GDATAMART: 3.6/5
- Director: The Pang Brother
- Genres: Action, Thriller
- Star Cast: Pawalit Mongkolpisit, Premsinee Ratanasopha, Patharawarin Timkul
Ong-Bak
Ong-Bak (องค์บาก) is one of the most popular Thai action movies. The movie has a total of 3 parts, the first part was released in 2003. This is the Thai action masterpiece movie by the outstanding action king Tony Jaa.
- Year: 2003, 2008, 2010
- IMDB: 7.1/10
- GDATAMART: 4.6/5
- Director: Prachya Pinkaew
- Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Star Cast: Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Pumwaree Yodkamol
Born to Fight
Born to Fight (เกิดมาลุย) is a Panna Rittikrai-directed Thai action drama film that was released on August 5, 2004. The movie followed Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, on which Rittikrai served as martial arts choreographer, and featured more of his "no strings attached" stuntwork. In the film, the popular Thai actor Dan Chupong plays the lead character of Deaw (an undercover cop from the Royal Thai Police).
- Year: 2004
- IMDB: 6.1/10
- GDATAMART: 4.0/5
- Director: Panna Rittikra
- Genres: Action, Crime, Drama
- Star Cast: Dan Chupong, Nappon Gomarachun, Santisuk Promsiri
The Protector
The Protector also known as Tom-Yum-Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง) is a Tony Jaa (Kham) lead and Prachya Pinkaew directed Thai action movie that was released on August 11, 2005, in Thailand. Before this film, Prachya Pinkaew and Tony Jaa worked together in Ong-Bak (2003).
- Year: 2005
- IMDB: 7.0/10
- GDATAMART: 4.1/5
- Director: Prachya Pinkaew
- Genres: Action, Crime
- Star Cast: Tony Jaa, Sotorn Rungruaeng, Petchtai Wongkamlao
