THAI ACTION MOVIES
Action Thai movies (หนังบู๊) deal with the Thai contemporary world (corruption, mafia, bad policemen, bad boys, politics, power, gunmen) and illegal business (drugs, underground gambling, smuggling, illegal felling of forest reserves, loan shark rackets, prostitution and slaves). The chiefs of Thai mafia are called "CHAO PHO" (เจ้าพ่อ). They deal with gambling, prostitution, drugs and so on... Some "CHAO PHO" enter politics, make big donations to temples in order to gain a new legitimacy. As they have money, their new aim is power. Some action Thai movies deal about confrontation between good and bad guys. In the 1980s, the villain change to be the local gangsters such as influential people (ผู้มีอิทธิพล) and god fathers (เจ้าพ่อ) who oppressed and exploited the poor. A popular plot is the hero, a poor villager, and his family who are bullied by influential people. The hero obstructs the corrupt action. The villains are local gangsters. At the end of the story, the conflicts are solved by the hero with the support from his friends or policemen to force the villains.
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This old Thai western movie, taking place in Chiang Mai area, has a complete new soundtrack. A man is surprised sleeping in the forest. He is injured by a young lady called Chalong (Petchara Chaowarat) believing he is a thief. Nobody knows his name and why he is coming here. His real name is Pen Moradok (Sombat Methanee). In fact he is sent by central government to neutralize a local mafia head called Salapan. Pen meets many girls, i.e. Chalong, Fong and Peri, owner of a bar who all love him. Pen receives a threat to leave city within 24 hours or face death. Fights happen between Pen and Salapan's ruffians. Peri dies when helping to fight the ruffians. Finally Salapan is captured and Pen wins Chalong's heart. It is a typical 1960s movie where the leading actor seduces many actresses (James Bond syndrome?). This is a very old Thai movie compared to Thai standards. The digitalization has been poorly done. The movie is only 15 fps and some scenes are strangely cut. It should be seen for historical purpose and enjoy the chance to see famous stars Petchara Chaowarat and Sombat Methanee acting. This movie follows the Thai traditional drama precepts with a clown always following the leading actor and the leading lady having a maid of honor.
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Sa Ai (Sombat Methanee) buys gemstone from people working in mines. Two groups, lead by Sa Ai and Ko Sai, are fighting each other for gemstone control. They buy then sell those gems. Sa Ai rescues and shelters young lady Supranee (Naiyana Shewanan), whose parents have been killed by Ko Sai's tough men. Another lady called Soi (Aranya Namwong) also loves Sa Ai. Sa Ai meets a young man called Chae (Krung Srivilai) and they decide to work together. But Chae is working for the other group lead by Ko Sai. Sa Ai escapes to two murder attempts but his father is killed. Sa Ai wants to sell gems for 500 000 baht to Chae. Ko Sai wishes to get those gems. Chae seems to play on both sides. Supranee and Sa Ai are injured during a trap prepared by Ko Sai. Supranee and Soi love Sa Ai but Soi sacrifices her-self as Supranee has already lost everything in her life. Violent gun fights erupt between both groups. Ko Sai uses his own sister to put a bomb inside Sa Ai's car but Chae warns him just in time after a swift car race. Chae shows interest into Soi. Ko Sai kinadps Soi and Supranee to attract Chae and Sa Ai in a trap. A heavy gun fight happens but Chae with a police team is joining to help. Bad guys are all killed or captured. Chae, who is in fact a policeman, kills the headman without proper justice. Extrajudicial killings have always been an issue in Thailand. The last notorious killings happen during the 2003 anti-drug effort. This movie features many Kung fu fightings in 1970s comfortable (สบายมาก) Thai style. This old movie has an image very damaged. In the past the camera original and any additional exhibition prints were circulated to cinemas around the country or projected from the backs of trucks on to sheets hung between trees at fairgrounds. There is no original soundtrack but a 1970s James Bond soundtrack is used! Slogan "See you later" (พบกันใหม่) is shown instead of "The end" (สวัสดี) to encourage fans to see their favourite stars in the next movie. More than one hundred movies were produced per year in Thailand in 1970s.
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Plaew Suriyong (Sombat Methanee) is back to Thailand after many years in Chicago. His father has died. He is kidnapped by a mafia boss called Pa at the airport. He gets an offer of 1 million baht and one airplane ticket to anywhere in order to kill a politician. He shall be used as a hitman (มือปืน) and has 7 days to do the job. He still wanders who has killed his father, who was also a politician. People, who wish to hurt Thailand, killed his father. They now chase him also. Politics in Thailand is full of bad influence (อิทธิพล), corruption and murders through hitmen. A lady called Romanat helps Plaew to prepare the shooting and gets in love with him. The politician to kill is the popular Sarayut (Sor Asanajinda). Sarayut's wife was fed up with the risks linked to politics so left him 10 years ago to go to Italy with their young son. Pa lies to Plaew in order to have Sarayut killed. As Plaew's father was a politician, he should be the right scapegoat. During the political gathering, Plaew doesn't shoot Sarayut but his opponent. This causes Pa's ire and Plaew needs to flee to Malaysia. Plaew meets Lucky Jack (Jatuphol Poopirom) in Malaysia but they have to flee to Roma, Italy due to problems with police. Lucky Jack is in fact Sarayut's son. In Roma, Plaew seduces Maria that Lucky Jack also loves. As Pa threatens to kill Romanat, Plaew has 7 days to come back to Thailand. Maria loves Plaew but gets killed during a gun fight. Lucky Jack doesn't forgive Plaew. Plaew and Luck Jack go back to Bangkok to catch Pa. Pa sends Romanat as a gift to lucky Jack acting as local ruffian. Finally both Plaew and Lucky Jack love again the same woman, i.e. Romanat. Plaew learns that Sarayut is behind his father's death. Sarayut is also a nasty politician wishing to send Plaew to trial in order not to be accused of any collusion of the previous shooting done by Plaew. He pushes his own son to shoot Plaew. Finally Plaew shots Sarayut but get shot by Lucky Jack. This is a typical action movie from the 1970s highlighting the bad sides of the Thai politics.
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A gang is recruiting through false advertisement men and women in order to work hard in dry Isan fields. They are then exploited and imprisoned at night time. Two youngs ladies are part of the victims. Their brother is looking for them. Working as a team with two former soldier friends, they plan to free them. One is recruited by the gand as worker, one is recruited by the gang as guard, one is collecting weapons in order to free the whole group of workers.
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Palan Phuthai is coming back to Chayaphum area after having spent a few years in prison as a former hit man. During the bus trip, he becomes friend with the bus fare collector, who promises to present him his sister called Taew. Back in Chayaphum, things have changed. Following a dispute with a dishonest placement company sending Thai workers abroad, his mother and brother died. He has to take care of a small baby that he confides to the district officer's wife. The district officer knows that Palan has become a good person. Palan has arguments with the dishonest placement company as they take money from poor people and never send them abroad for work. The boss of the placement company is a local godfather called Kamthorn, who is also involved in illegal logging. Palan robs important documents from the placement company and even abducts Kamthorn's daughter, Busaba, to force him to stop his illegal activities. It fails as Palan has to exchange the small baby against Busaba. Taew become Palan's wife. Kamthorn tries to get rid of Palan and the district officer by using a hit man, former friend of Palan. Finally Kamthorn dies and Palan gives his gun back to the district officer as justice has won.
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Two groups of bad tough guys confront each other to dominate the local underworld. One former hitman is involved between them as he tried to free one young woman kidnapped as her family refuses to pay business protection free to the local mafia. Six songs are featured during the story.
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Rise and fall of a local Thai mafia chief
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The story script relates the conflicts between a singer and bad tough guys. Many songs are featured during the story. Both main actors are famous Luk Thung (ลูกทุ่ง) or Thai country music singers.
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After many years spent in jail, a man is coming back to his home town but he is not welcomed. His mother has become addicted to opium. Now being officer, he decides to expel the local drug kingpin from the town. But the local mafia strikes back and tries to get rid of him. Will he succeed? It is the first movie directed by Bandit Ritthakol.
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After a double crime, a man flees to the Thai border to stay in his brother's home. On the way, he helps villagers to get rid of local kingpins. His brother is also having problems with the local mafia and is finally poisoned. The man won't let the local mafia get away with this crime...
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A man comes back in a Hat Yai city district, which is ransacked by a local mafia. He is looking for an old friend. He decides to stay and acts as a local astrologer. But local mafia dislikes him and wishes him to leave through threats. He is collaborating with the police to stop them. This movie also highlights the police's extra judicial killings.
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A soldier is coming back to the slum where he lived when he was younger. He learnt that his mother and sister have died during a fire. His father told him that a local influencial man is responsible of the fire in order to drive out people from the slum. His father is seen as a drunk man so the police doesn't believe him. The father is finally killed by a gunman. Having lost faith in police and in justice of the rich towards the poor, the soldier decides to enquiry by him-self. A traitor policeman is helping the influencial man.
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San is a soldier. His father and sister, called Samon, are working in a mine concession looking for precious stones. The father finds a big ruby. The head of the concession wants to buy it at a low price but the father refuses. While San is at the Thai border, the head of the concession uses tough men to get the gem. San's father is killed but the gem is not found. The head of the concession takes San's sister as his girlfriend as she believes he is a nice man. Back to the village, San knows that the head of the concession is responsible of his father's death and has arguments with his sister. The concession head uses tough men to get rid of San and he is badly injured. He takes refuge in a Buddhist cave and is rescued by a wandering forest monk. He gives him a sacred Buddha amulet for protection. People with good intention are protected by the Buddha sacret amulet. Thanks to the sacred amulet, bullets cannot hurt San. San finally overcomes the head of the concession and his tough team. This movie is typical of 1980's action movies where the main actor always faces local god father protected by many tough men. He fights without support from the police. Local people enjoyed such kind of movie enhancing family relationship, Buddhist traditions and moralistic story.
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A man living with his family in the forest is apart from the society. When his wife and daughter are killed by bad tough guys, he seeks revenge.
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It is about corrupted politicians and a man wishing to revenge his father killed. Many quarrels, fights and dynamic actresses are featured.
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Four men bloodily rob a bank and kill all guards and employees. They have long hairs. They are part of a mafia gang. Ayu, a former ranger, is arrested when buying medicine for his sick mother as he has also long hairs. He is accused without proofs and beaten by the Police to get his confession. He flees from the prison with another inmate. They are chased by the police in the jungle. Two mafia groups also affront each other in the jungle. One group is lead by a young lady. She is injured but rescued by Ayu. Unfortunately Ayu arrives home too late. His mother is already dead. His teammate is in fact a covered policeman who wants to trick the robbers. The mafia group kills Ayu's family members and catches him. The young lady is the daughter of the mafia group's boss that got killed recently. She spared Ayu's life. Ayu is rescued by the policeman but he decides to take revenge over the mafia group. Similar to a a Thai copy of Rambo II, Ayu carries a huge machine gun with ammunitions over the shoulder. A butchery happens with heavy spurts of blood. All policemen are killed. Everybody dies including the mafia leaders and Ayu. Not sure why Sorapong Chatree is playing in this serie B action movie but in 1980s, action movies were still very popular and all actors carried machine guns in those films.
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A man wons the biggest price at the underground lottery. But mafia refuses to pay him. He complains so much that the local mafia boss get rid of him and his family. But the son is back and ready for revenge...
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Two friends in love with two ladies are confronting to bad tough guys who have interest in the two ladies also. This movie features three songs of the singer "Nipon Yunipan" (นิพนธ์ ยูนิพันธ์)
Modern action Thai movies (หนังบู๊) vary themes. It is no more the hero against a whole bunch of local gangsters. The movies deal with the Thai contemporary world (corruption, Chinese and Thai mafia, bad boys, power, gunmen).
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Pon and his friend are continually annoyed by some bad boys due to a debt. When the bad boys abducted Pon's girlfiend, a bloody confrontation happened.
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It is about the life of two brothers. One is a honest guy helping poor children. The other one is a cheater, who is always stealing and betting. During a fight, the bad brother stabs a gangster, who is now seeking revenge. Problems are rising when both brothers love the same girl. The gangster kidnaps the girl. Are the two brothers going to help each other?
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It is dealing about Thai people emigrating to USA. Most of them start to settle in Los Angeles in an area called "Thai town" or the Thai 77th province as many Thai people live there. A father with three children is facing issues with his restaurant. He still wants to apply Thai traditional values, but his eldest daughter is living with an American man and his son is frequenting a local gang. Only his youngest daughter still try to follow his advice. The father hires a new Thai immigrant in his restaurant. This man is a former cop who has come to put an end to criminal gang. Through confrontation with the local gang, the Thai family unifies again.
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After the bodyguard fails to save his father's life, a young man refuses to be protected anymore by this man. But the new bodyguard guard team is wiped out by unknown gunmen and the young man hides in a slum. Following the young man's disappearance, the bodyguard searches for him to prevent the gunmen to find him first... This movie mixes action and comedy.
Since years 2000s action movie featuring martial arts is another emerging winner. Three Tony Jaa movies, Ong Bak (2003), Tom Yum Goong (2006) and Ong Bak 2 (2008), have each of them raked in over 100 million baht at home and the same amount abroad. Those movies spearheaded the movement. Action movies featuring martial arts movies have become the icons of contemporary Thai film.
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"Ong Bak" is a Buddha statue located in a remote northeastern Thai village. One day, the statue head is stolen. A young man is going to Bangkok in order to get back the stolen head. He is a old style Thai boxing expert. In Bangkok, he is getting the help from a teenage girl and a fellow coming from the same village. They are facing a dangerous gang specialized in stealing old Buddhist artifacts. It raises opposition between village life (peace, slowness, culture respect, local Buddhist traditional festivals, villagers unity...) and Bangkok city life (danger, drug, prostitution, gambling, materialism, foreigners...). This movie contains art martial scenes that Hong Kong movies can envy. It grossed 120 million baht in Thailand. "Ong Bak" has been awarded the Action Asia prize at France's Deauville Asian Film Festival.
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A young man named Kham faces an international mafia syndicate, that captures his two beloved elephants and smuggles them to Sydney. So he has to venture into Australia. He gets help from a Thai police Sergeant based in Australia and Pla, a Thai girl forced into prostitution. They face the gang of Madame Rose, whose staff include a Vietnamese thief and martial arts expert and some hulking bodyguards. The film reigned as the box office's champion when it grossed 200 million baht (second in history after Suriyothai).
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Muay Thai Chaiya is set in 1970s Thailand, and follows the exploits of three friends from southern Thailand as they come to Bangkok and then take divergent paths in the difficult world of Thai boxing. Two of the friends enter the mafia world and one of the friend enters the official boxing competition world. Sooner or later, they will meet each other again...
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This movie is done by same director that realized famous movies "Ong Bak" and "Tom Yum Goong", which received international success. The main actor is a young lady who has autist problems. She has half Japanese and half Thai so she is called "Chocolate". Her Japanese father has to go back to Japan many years ago following a conflict with a Thai mafia boss. As her mother is very sick, she has to retrieve money from men who owned money to her mother. They are not willing to pay back so she has to use her incredible Thai boxing skills to convince them... The Thai mafia boss has decided to get rid of them so her Japanase father has to come back in order to confront the Thai mafia for an ultimate revenge.
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Yot has been trained many years as a white monkey warrior by his master. A rival master is willing to take back some segments of a sacred book to seek absolute power. A mafia guy called Stephen and the rival master command a group of bad guys including three warriors having skills and tatoos related to crocodile, tiger and Jaguar. Those dark side warriors killed Yot's master, Yot's girlfriend and had her sister be paralysed. Yot then finds a shelter inside an up-country school teaching traditional Thai boxing for boys and traditional dance for girls. Once the three bad warriors have killed almost everybody in the school and take away the paralyzed little girl, Yot goes on rampage to fight them and get back the young girl. This movie tries to include recipes that were successful for Ong Bak 1. It includes Thainess through Thai boxing, Thai traditional dance, respect to teacher, sacred tatooes... But the main actor is not as skilled as Tony Jaa. Foreigner are really the bad guys destroying sacred altars and having no respect for teachers and ancestors. 50 years ago mothers mentioned the Chinese Zee Oui (ซีอุย) as a monster to frighten their children, now they can use the bad foreigners!
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During Ayuthaya period, a teen, called Thien, following a fight with slaves merchants, is rescued by Cheu Nang. Cheu Nang is the village head of a group of warriors and fighters. Thien is the son of Lord Sihadecho, who has been assassinated by Lord Rachasena. Thien is trained to become a powerful fighter in Thai boxing and weapons handling such as sword, spike, nunchaku, rope, bomb etc... Becoming an adult, he helps to stop the former slaves merchants that held him and to release their slaves. He then succeeds to kill Lord Rachasena in his palace but when going back to Cheu Nang's village, he is attacked by score of fighters and is overcome by them. Lord Rachasena is not dead. During a final fight forced by Lord Rachasena, Thien has to compete against Cheu Nang. Ong bak 2 is not a second Opus of Ong Bak as the previous one was taking place in modern Bangkok. At the end of movie, Thien is captured and Lord Rachasena promised him a long and painful agony. Ong Bak 3 is on the way for 2010! Many incredible action scenes are involving Tony Jaa and real elephants. The 2009 Thai Films Award Best Supporting Actor for "Ong Bak 2" was for actor Sorapong Chatree.
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This movie features the new Thai martial arts feminine star nicknamed Jija. Jija's mother dropped her, her music band group drops her. She feels lonely and indulges in alcohol. Then she gets kidnapped by a mafia group but is rescued on time by Salim, part of drunken martial arts expert team. Their goal is to stop the kidnapping organization. They teach her but finally drop her also as she doesn't fit into their plan. She succeeds to beat the leader and gets her place back in the team. The kidnappers are looking for specific woman scent to make perfume. She acts as a bait and gets kidnapped again. She helps Salim, who is looking for his wife captured a long time ago, and defeats the gang. The movie is having a basic scenario and mixes various ambiances (Mad Max 2, Perfume - The Story of a Murderer, Hip Hop and breakdance). It is still enjoyable thanks to Jija and her partners martial arts impressive skills. The movie boasts to be the first one introducing a new form of martial arts that combines Thai boxing with breakdancing. Viewers looking for action and martial arts skills won't be disappointed. Viewers looking for a good and original scenario may take a rain check.
This Thai Action movie page 1 contains 29 records.
ThaiWorldView movie database contains 511 records.
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