The Protector

Kham, a gifted Thai fighter, travels to Australia after his treasured elephant is stolen. He teams up with Mark, a Thai-born Australian detective, and the two pursue the thief through a city full of danger. Their target is a ruthless gang led by a cunning woman and her two deadly bodyguards, forcing Kham to push his abilities to the limit. What follows is a lean, kinetic blend of hands on combat and high speed pursuit, with precise choreography and rising threats. Kham relies on street smarts as well as his martial skill to recover the elephant while staying one step ahead of the criminals. Along the way he confronts loyalties, old scores, and a city that tests his resolve.

Directed by Prachya Pinkaew with Piyaros Thongdee and Joe Wannapin credited as creators, The Protector showcases Tony Jaa's physical prowess. The film brings Thai action storytelling to international screens with practical stunts and minimal digital effects on a sizable budget.

The film grossed 27,165,581 dollars worldwide on a 6 million dollar budget, signaling solid returns and strong international interest in Thai action cinema. Its performance boosted international interest in Thai action and solidified Jaa as a global martial arts icon.

Its standout elephant rescue motif and real world stunt work helped reshape expectations for action scenes in Thai cinema. By favoring practical effects over heavy CGI, the film influenced later fight choreography, training routines, and marketing of martial arts stars to a worldwide audience and sparked interest in action gear.

Critics praised the film for its relentless pace and Tony Jaa's stamina, though some noted brutality. The story centers on loyalty, honor, and the clash between crime and community values, with Mark and Kham learning to trust each other while confronting corruption. The action remains a example of lean storytelling.