Thai movie - Selected Theme

Increase or decrease font size for easier reading : A+ A-

Some folklore Thai movies are based on crocodiles influence in Thai culture.

The tragic romance 鱷魚河 - "Crocodile River" is a Shaw Brothers movie filmed in Thailand. Thainess is present through traditional dance (รำวง) in the village, Thai boxing match and master honorific dance (ครู), floating market, Tuk Tuk ride through Bangkok including Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Bangkok zoo, democracy monument, Wat Pho and even the royal barges on Chao Praya river, Wat Arun, Pattaya beach, Loy Krathong festival. It includes three well known Thai actors, i.e. Man Teeraphol, Malee Wetpraseri (ป้ามาลี เวชประเสริฐ) and Yaowaret Nisakorn. Crocodile River was Lo Wei's first film for the Shaw Brothers studio. Crocodile River movie features Romeo And Juliet-flavored story. Families are against each other. Yodi (Paul Chang Chung) is the Romeo and Lee Ting is his Juliet. The two students love each other from across a river that is filled with crocodiles. Families are living on opposite sides of the river. Hidden secrets between both families cause fights to happen. Yodi’s parents try to push him to another girl but he is not interested. The girl tries to get his interest by using her sexy shapes but it is enough. Yodi swims across the river to be reunited with Lee Ting. Following a fight between Yodi and Lee Ting's brother (Man Teeraphol), Lee Ting cannot leave the house and her father removes all her clothes to ensure she doesn't going out naked. The girl's father uses saboteurs on his neighbors' property and they put fire in a barn. Finally Lee Tin flees from her house and swims across the river. Yodi helps her as crocodiles are converging towards her. But it is too late for both of them. Their death makes the two clans to pacify. Lee Tin’s brother seems to be Yodi's father hidden son. This Shaw Brothers movie is a remake of Thai movie "จำปูน" (1964) featuring Man Teeraphol, Sor Asanajinda, Taksin Jampol, Somjit Sapsamruey, Tat Ekathat...

This movie could be the Thai "Jaws" movie. A giant crocodile is killing and frightening Thai people living nearby rivers. Two men, whose wives and daughter have been killed by the crocodile, decide to chase and eliminate it. Crocodile was be dubbed into English and given an international release throughout Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Germany...), Korea and in the United States. This movie is on the American Humane Association Unacceptable list due to a live crocodile being slashed with a knife.

Kraithong is an old Thai tale based on an aggressive, violent and male-dominated world. Kraithong movie is based on Thai traditional folklore story relating a love story between a crocodile and human beings. A spirit living in the river has the possiblity to change himself into a crocodile. He uses his powers to terrify the population by killing inhabitants and kidnaps young girls for his harem. His name is Chalawan (ชาละวัน). One day Chalawan sees the two daughters of a rich local trader and falls in love with them. The two daughters are called Takao Kaew and Takao Thong. He kidnaps Takao Kaew and brings her to his cave under the river. The father is very angry and recruits a crocodile master (หมอจระเข้) called Kraithong. He promises to give his two daughters if Kraithong can stop Chalawan. Kraithong finds the way to Chalawan's underwater cave. A fight happens between Kraithong and Chalawan. Kraithong movie raises the Thai polygamy theme as Chalawan has already crocodiles wives in his underwater cave but still desires human being wives.

This movie is based on the folklore story "Khun Chang Khun Paen" (ขุนช้างขุนแผน) but only on a limited part of the whole story. During Ayutthaya period, a middle age man, Master Taen (อาจารย์เถร), has strong magic knowledge (วิชา) so can seduce women through spells and can transform himself into a ferocious crocodile. His young apprentice (ลูกศิษย์) can also become a fierce crocodile. Young ladies Simala and Soifa are the wives of noble Phra Phi but Phra Phi spends all nights with Simala. Soifa becomes very jaleous and asks Master Taen to help her. Master Taen uses black magic incantations. Simala and Phra Phi get tortured like voodoo puppets. Due to incantations (พิธี), Simala gets a defigured face so that Phra Phi goes back to Soifa. Phra Chumpoon, Phra Phi's brother, tries to defend Simila. Soifa asks Master Taen for a love filter to force Simala having an affair with Phra Chumpoon so that she can be repudiated by Phra Phi. Nothing happens but Phra Phi nevertheless chases her. Phra Chumpoon asks for his father's help. The father, Paen, sees that his son is under spell influence. Soifa starts to panic. The king orders to arrest Master Taen but Master Taen and his apprentice become crocodiles to kill the soldiers. A reward is offered to catch the crocodiles. Paen searches for evidence such as wax effigy inside the bedroom. But nothing found as Soifa hides it well but Paen succeeds to find it and breaks the spell (พิธีแก้) for Simala. Master Taen sends an evil spirit to fight Paen but Paen's baby spirit (กุมารทอง) helps him. Master Taen is arrested by Phra Chumpoon. He refuses to break the spell for Phra Pi. Simala and Soifa need to show their purity (บริสุทธิ์) by walking without pain on hot charcoal. Soifa fails (ความดีต้องชนะความชั่ว) and is chased in Northern Thailand. The two crocodiles continue their rampage until they are stopped by Paen and Phra Chumpoon. Master Taen is defeated and killed by Phra Chumpoon. Characters are similar to traditional theatre "Like" (ลิเก), i.e. the leading actor (พระเอก), the leading actress (นางเอก), the jealous girl (นางเอก), the funny and hilarious supportive maids (ตัวตลก). This is another movie from famous Chaiyo productions and produced by Sompote Sangduenchai. This is the fourth movie including crocodiles killing human again. The previous movies were Crocodile (จระเข้ - 1980), Kraithong (ไกรทอง - 1980), Kraithong 2 (ไกรทอง 2 - 1985). As often with Sompote productions, it includes light salacious content, humorous dialogues and kitsch Fx (Yak flying).

Thai movie ไกรทอง 2 was released in year 1985. It was released under VCD and DVD format by Tiga Company and lasts 1h33mn. The Betamax version lasts 1h49mn. The main difference is longer sequences with a Chinese master (อาจารย์). Main actors and actresses featured in this movie are Sorapong Chatree, Sombat Methanee, Sor Asanajinda, Lor Tok, Lak Apichat, Ampha Pusit, Aranya Namwong, Supansa Nuengpirom, Der Doksadao, Duangcheewan Komolsen. This time Kraithong faces a man, who has also the power to change himself into a fearful crocodile. Thong (Suphansa Nuengpirom) and Kaew (Ampha Nuengpirom) are Kraithong's wives. Wimala (Aranya Namwong) and Malaiwan (Duangcheewan Komolsen), former Chalawan’s wives, are staying in a cave under the river. Sor Asanajinda is a powerful hermit. Sor asks Wimala (แม่นาง) not to disturb humans anymore. Meanwhile a crocodile takes away a baby and his father. The mother goes to Chinese shrine to ask help from a Chinese master (Lor Tok). Der Doksadao and เหี่ยว are playing medium assistants in the Chinese shrine. A funny and long sequence featuring the master showing his surnatural skills towards Der Doksadao is present in the betamax but cut in the VCD version. A government official offers a reward to kill the crocodile. The crocodile continues his rampage and attacks a floating market, humans and even a buffalo. Kraithong visits a master mentioning that crocodile Chalawan is back. The crocodile is in fact half human (Lak Apichat) half spirit (จระเข้ผีสิงห์). Lak agresses Chalawan’s wives in the cave. The Chinese master, despite his supernatural skills, is killed by the crocodile. Some scenes where Lor Tok is featuring his flying skills are cut from VCD but present on the BetaMax. The crocodile then attacks the house where Thong and Kaew are living. After a rampage, Kaew is kidnapped by the crocodile played by Lak Apichat. Wimala wishes to use Lak to take revenge over Kraithong. Chalawan is back per incantations from Sor. He is upset that his wife Wimala replaces him so fast. So Wimala pushes Lak to kill Chalawan. Upset about Kaew, Kraithong heads towards the cave. He faces Lak, already injured by Chalawan, and succeeds to defeat him. Chalawan then defies him again. Following an epic fight, Chalawan is defeated again and Kraithong brings Kaew back.

Thai movie จระเข้ศรีวันทอง was released in year 1985 and lasts 1h25mn. It was released under VCD format by company Rose. Sexy sequences are cut from the VCD. Movie director is กังสดาล. It features actors and actresses มงคล พิชิตชัย, แพร เพชรชมพู and รุ้งเพชร ทรัพย์สุวรรณ. The story of Wan Sri Thong was released in two parts, i.e. จระเข้ศรีวันทอง (1985) and เจ้าแม่จระเข้ (1987). A crocodile attacks a villager. Later on, villagers shoot and injure that crocodile. Two villagers help a young lady being injured and called Wana. She is in fact crocodile spirit Sri Wan Thong (ศรีวันทอง) fleeing villagers ire. Tong and Tuan help young lady, Soi Klin, aggressed by a crocodile man managed by master (หมอ) Pin. Her father was just killed by the crocodile man. Tuan meets Wana (แพร เพชรชมพู) inside the forest. As she has no more relatives, Tuan asks her to stay with her sister but she prefers to stay in the forest. Tong discloses to Soi Klin, Tuan's younger sister, that Wana is crocodile spirit Sri Wan Thong. Tuan refuses to believe Tong. Villagers Phi Am and Phi Man are fishing. Phi Man is killed by the crocodile spirit. Phi Am has to announce the bad news to wife Rarai. The villagers organize an urgent meeting. Phi Am refuses to respect Sri Wan Thong anymore and promises to kill the crocodile spirit. Master (หมอ) Fak is hired. Master Fak (Somsak Chaisongkram) is arriving in the village. Drunken Phi Am urinates on Sri Wan Thong's shrine. Master Thong asks Sri Wan Thong not to kill Phi Am. Many ladies (Sai, Nuan...) like Thong. It makes Sri Wan Thong to be jealous as she loves secretly Thong. Master Fak, hired by the subdistrict headman, tries to capture the crocodile. It is a failure and Phi Am is killed during the mess. Meanwhile Tuan is looking for Wana. Sri Wan Thong, alias Wana, pushes Tuan to fight with Thong until Thong sends a magic amulet over Sri Wan Thong so Tuan realizes that Wana is Sri Wan Thong! Sai is brought back home by master Fak. She claims to hurt her ankle to entice master Fak. Sai becomes Sri Wan Thong and kills master Fak. Sri Wan Thong wishes to get an agreement with Thong. She agrees to stop killings if master Thong stays with her for three months. The story continues in movie เจ้าแม่จระเข้ (1987).

Thai movie เจ้าแม่จระเข้ was released in year 1987 and lasts 1h47mn. It is a low budget horror movie with erotic sequences (หนังผีแนวโป๊). This movie (鱷魚女妖) was also released in Taiwan under VHS format. It is the next opus after “จระเข้ศรีวันทอง” with same movie director กังสดาล. On actors and actresses’ side, there are no change also. Most of them are unknown actors and actresses. A crocodile fight occurs. It involves Chao Mae Sri Wan Thong, being a female spirit able to transform herself into a crocodile, versus master Pin (หมอปราบจระเข้), trying to kill the female spirit. Chao Mae Sri Wan Thong (เจ้าแม่จระเข้ศรีวันทอง) makes a promise with young man Tong (ธง) valid for three months. She agrees to stop killing people if Tong stays with her. Master Pin sends young lady Soi to seduce Tong in order to irritate Sri Wan Thong. It works as Sri Wan Thong becomes a crocodile again and kills Soi. Sri Wan Thong breaks her promise to stop killing people. Sri Wan Thong wishes to get revenge over Master Pin. Administrative assistant (ปลัด) comes to the village and wishes to seduce Malai, subdistrict headman’s daughter. The local subdistrict headman has two daughters, i.e. Malai and Sai. Sri Wan Thong, as a crocodile, interrupts a village feast and kills villagers. The administrative assistant hires Master Pin for 50,000 THB in order to get rid of female spirit Sri Wan Thong. Villager Nuan loves Tong but love is not reciprocal. Tong considers her as a sister only. Fight occurs between Tong and Nuan's brother. Master Pin defies Sri Wan Thong but gets killed by her. Both daughters don't want to marry the administrative assistant. The subdistrict headman asks Tong to help as Master Pin is now dead. Malai jumps in the river. Phi Tuan helps as Sri Wan Thong, as a crocodile, attacks Malai. A hunt to kill the crocodile is launched. The administrative assistant also joins the hunt. It fails as the crocodile crunches the administrative assistant. Tuan wishes to catch the crocodile as Sri Wan Thong is his former wife. Tuan asks Sri Wan Thong not to perform a rampage (อาละวาด) anymore in the village. Nuan is disappointed that Phi Tong doesn't love her. She becomes crazy. Sai loves secretly Phi Tong also. Female spirit Sri Wan Thong is upset with all those young ladies being around Tong. Nuan meets Sri Wan Thong and tries to chase her. As Sri Wan Thong becomes a crocodile, Nuan is killed. Tuan fails to kill the crocodile as Sri Wan Thong is pregnant with him. Tong finally kills Sri Wan Thong to stop further killings in the village and Tuan keeps the crocodile eggs, i.e. his children...

This movie is based on a real story that happened in 1964. A huge crocodile terrorizes a local communauty and wildly eats people (อาละวาดกินคน). A team of three policemen arrives including a new police inspector (นายตำรวจ). The crocodile causes again a rampage during a temple fair. Pornthip, daughter of the subdistrict headman (กำนัน), is saved by the police inspector. Her younger sister, Pen, just comes back from Bangkok after long studies. They visit a famous medium (อาจารย์). He mentions that the crocodile is possessed by a spirit (เป็นจระเข้เจ้า). A crocodile hunter is recruited and also a crocodile expert (หมอจระเข้) to get rid of Ai Dang, the crocodile's nickname given by the villagers. The crocodile hunter, Khun Sak, is played by veteran actor Dam Datsakorn. The subdistrict headman, the village headman (ผู้ใหญ่บ้าน) and a local rich Chinese merchant help each other (รวมมือ) for a reward to catch the crocodile. Jealousy happens between village men and the policemen regarding the subdistrict headman's beautiful daughters. Ai Dang (ไอ้ด่าง) is an intelligent crocodile so it is difficult to catch it. The crocodile expert is killed. Porn gives food to the crocodile in order that Ai Dang is full (กินอิ่มแล้ว) and so avoid any danger for the police inspector and villagers. The police inspector tries to catch the crocodile and puts nets in places but to no avail. Tot, local villager, comes to get Pen's hand but the subdistrict headman refuses as Tot is a rich but lazy guy (เรียนไม่เรียนไม่สำคัญ ถ้ามีตังค์ซื้อตำแหน่ง). There is jaleousy between Porn and Pen over the police inspector. Pen becomes crazy (บ้าที่สุด) and wishes to win over her sister (ต้องชนะให้ได้). Police believes that crocodile Ai Dang is dead as no more rampage happens. Pen pushes Porn in the water when she is feeding Ai Dang. It fails. Ai Dang is hungry again and eats a cow. Police management wants results. Porn wishes to stop seeing the police inspector as she loves her younger sister so much despite she did bad (ทำชั่ว). The two sisters are reconciliated. Ai Dang starts to eat people again. By using bombs and helicopter the police inspector succeeds to chase it and have it killed. Two movies have been done regarding Ai Dang crocodile, one in 1988 and one in 2005. The movie has poor Fx as the crocodile and actors are rarely on same shot. This movie mixes romance with a crocodile story based on real facts.

Thai movie จระเข้ผีสิง was released in year 1993 and lasts 1h24mn. It is available under VCD format released by company Lepso (1h24mn) and Yod Maa Nud Ltd (1h07mn so one VCD disc only but the image is colorful and sharp). It is typical Thai horror movie from decade 1990s featuring scary / comic sequences and targeted for provincial audience. Fx are poor due to small budget. The original 35mm movie picture in 16:9 format is cut on each side to fit TV 4:3 format. An old man called Lek is killed by a crocodile while trying to fish at nighttime. Young beautiful lady Chaoba (แม่คนสวย) is harassed by three villagers but she gets rid of them. Chook (Bin Banleurit) writes a love letter to Chaoba but he is using old style. He is planning to ask her hand to her parents. While Chaoba is bathing in the river, she is attacked by the crocodile. Chook meets Chaoba’s father Prachot (Mum Jokmok) but she has disappeared. Chook believes Chaoba rejects his request for wedding. Local village headman (พี่ผู้ใหญ่) is requested for help. He decides to consult a local master (อาจารย์). The master identifies that Chaoba is dead and that a danger in the river is threatening the whole village. Meanwhile villagers organise a boat race. The crocodile (ไอ้เข้) disrupts the race. Chook has serious arguments with some villagers led by Chat. Chat is claiming Chook just loses the race and invents the crocodile story as a pretext. So a fighting occurs. The master requests three days to prepare special weapon to kill the crocodile. Chook is not willing to wait and wishes to kill the crocodile by himself. During a dream, Chaoba ghost is back and tells Chook to beware some villagers wishing to kill him. Chaoba’s spirit (วิญญาณ) helps to chase away ruffians trying to kill Chook. The master tries to neutralize the crocodile, which rejects Chaoba from his body. Chook has to put a sacred thread around her neck. The spirit is captured into a earthen pot. This part reminds of movie Mae Nak Pra Khanong (แม่นาคพระโขนง). The master gives holy weapons to Chook and his friends to get rid of the crocodile. The crocodile is defeated but the master also dies being killed by the crocodile spirit.

This movie is a modern remake of "Kraithong".

Thai movie โคตรเพชฌฆาต (Brutal river) was released in year 2005. The movie lasts 1h26mn. The movie action takes place in year 1964 in Chumphon province. It is based on a real story. A few veteran actors are playing such as Prompong Nopparith as chief district officer, Yodchai Meksuwan as the Buddhist temple abbot. A man has disappeared in the river and only his stranded boat can be found. A crocodile eating people (จระเข้กินคน) is suspected. A man swimming in the river and a soup vendor are also killed (จระเข้ขัด). Nobody dares to cross the local river anymore. A crocodile hunt starts. The crocodile is named Ai Dang (ไอ้ด่าง). 4000 baht reward is offered. The hunt turns to a disaster as all men are cowards. Only a soldier leader injures the crocodile. Nurse Kate is also killed. Her boyfriend, a policeman, is devastated. A black magician (หมอผี) is used but he is also killed by the crocodile. Another one from Cambodia using dynamite also fails. Soldiers are called for help as villagers cannot cope with the crocodile. They kill a big crocodile but it is not Ai Dang. Some villagers believe it is a crocodile spirit (จระเข้ผี). The soldiers get the blessings from the abbot and start to prepare some traps to catch the crocodile. The crocodile is smart and cannot be caught easily. It gets injured by the soldier leader with a knife but is on the way to flee again. The policeman, Kate’s fiance, sacrifices his life and throws himself in the crocodile mouth while holding a grenade. The river gets peaceful again. The movie has weak Fx.

---

This selected theme contains 11 movies.

ThaiWorldView's film database contains 1523 movies.

---