Host: You've been all around the world. Has this change your life in any way?
TJ: The best change out of all this was I was able to give back to my parents. I had a home built for parents, as well as money for them.

Host: Where was it built?
TJ: In Surin.

Host: Are your parents very happy with what you have accomplished?
TJ: Yes, very happy and proud.

Host: What did your father say? He used to hold you back, now his chest is about to explode! [in a good way]
TJ: [laughs] To see my father happy, makes me happy as well.

Host: And how about your mother?
TJ: She's happy too. It makes me happy to see my whole family happy.

Host: People who know your parents would say: "You have a famous son now. What are you going to do next?" He gave a great answer: "What am I going to do next? -- farm."
TJ: Yes. I'm very pleased with his answer.
Host: Your father said he's a farmer; therefore I must continue farming. But now I can farm with happiness.
Host: Your father is a great man.

Host: Do you remember when you first began the production of Ong Bak, you had to borrow money from your younger sister?
TJ: Yes. 50,000 baht.. She was studying to be a nurse.

Host: You needed it to compose a video to present to Mr. Prachya Pinkaew, is that right?
TJ: Yes.

Host : And that 50,000 baht., you can say that was all your sister's life savings.
Have you paid her back?
TJ: Yes I have. And I even opened up a pharmacy for her.

Host:: Ah, I see. Your brother! What about your brother?
TJ: Well, my brother plants, raises fishes, and takes care of the elephants.

Host : Ah yes. You have a really special bond with your elephants.
TJ: Yes.

Host : So the change is, everything's better, everyone's well off. You have a nice home and money for them now. They can do anything and be happy.
Are you glad that you've come this far?
TJ: Yes very glad. This lifetime has been worthwhile. I've always enjoyed my success here in Thailand. But I was able to share the art of Muay Thai with the world including Asia, Europe, and even America. This lifetime has been very valuable to me.

Host : After Ong Bak premiered in Thailand, Sia Jiang of Sahamongkol Film thought about how to make this film known throughout the world. So he had to show it to various countries. It started in Asia and gradually worked it's way to the West. This was the road to success for Panom Yeerum. This film was exposed to the rest of the world. What was the first country you visited?
TJ: We first went to Singapore.

Host : You went to promote the movie and demonstrate the art of Muay Thai live.
TJ: They've seen the movie. But we want to emphasize that there was no use of stunt doubles, no computer graphics, and wires. We really wanted to show that we didn't need none of that..

Host: : When you were there, how were you feeling? Were you afraid of how well you would be welcomed, anything like that?
TJ: I felt really excited because it was the first country we visited. When I stepped off the plane, we headed straight to the soccer stadium.

Host : So that means you had to go to this stadium and show what you've done in Ong Bak. Was there a lot of people?
TJ: Actually, there weren't that many people. I was a bit shocked. I was thinking, they probably weren't too into this kind of film. But when I got on stage, the host announced that the Ong Bak team was here. So, it was then people started slowly gathering. The music started and I did the stunt where I step over people's shoulders -- that's when the audiences started cheering and clapping. So even more people started coming in.

Host: : All that that cheering. How did you feel?
TJ: Oh wow! I gave it my all!

Host : Yes, so that was in Singapore. Where did you go next?
TJ: Next was Korea.

Host : So how was it in Korea?
TJ: Well, it was hard because for them to accept something like this...

Host : Ah yes, people there are of pretty high education.
TJ: Yes. And they also have their own form of martial arts -- Tae Kwon Do.

Host : Yeah. It's like all of a sudden you show up and say you're a Muay Thai artist. They probably must have felt a little pressure.
TJ: Yes. It was quite amazing when I first arrived. They took me straight to a temple.

Host : Why is that?
TJ: They probably wanted to rinse me in Holy water or something. [laughs]

Host : So they took you straight to a temple? So...why?
TJ: They said that the priests there saw Ong Bak, and they really liked it.

Host : Oh really?
TJ: So I walked in, and my hair just stood up. [They're Buddhists too, but just a different type of Buddhism.] I saw the poster of Ong Bak hanging right in the temple.

Host : Right inside the temple?!
TJ: Yes. And then these little children novice monks started running towards me. They grabbed my hands and lead me inside for some tea with the priest. The priest gave me words of blessing and said that the movie presented Buddhism very well.

Host : Oh, yes because in the movie you had to battle the people who stole Ong Bak. The movie was like a way to give understanding to Buddhism.
TJ: Yes.

Host : That's what you experienced in the temple. That must've made you happy.
TJ: Yes, and very statisfying because I got the blessing of a lifetime there. And he gave me this bracelet called "tanju" [sorry if i misspell this]

Host : After the temple, then where did you go?
TJ: After that, I went on a TV program, to an interview, and a performance at a movie theater.

Host : At the movie theater? Like how? Is it like, Ong Bak is playing and you're performing?
TJ: When the premiere of Ong Bak is over, then we showcase.

Host : Oh I see.
TJ: This way, we can show them that what I'm doing is real.

Host : What was the reaction of the people in the theater?
TJ: They announced my name. They said, "Tony Jaa is here!" Everyone started clapping like crazy. They were whistling, screaming, things like that. So we just started performing -- walking on shoulders and so on. They clapped and clapped. It's like YES! I did it! They really gave me a chance. They weren't excluding other forms of martial arts. Even though they have Tae Kwon Do and I came with Muay Thai -- it's the fact that we shared the same love for martial arts.

Host : Ah yes. I understand. Your love for Muay Thai and how you presented it -- they can accept that. That's why they welcomed and clapped for you. So your trip to Korea was also a success. How long did you stay?
TJ: I believe it was 10 days. There was one incident where we went out to eat - food was very delicious.

Host : Ah yes. I've had some before. I couldn't get enough of it!
TJ: So when we were there, we had to take off our shoes. So the stunt team lined up all their smelly shoes -- [both laugh] so we sat down. There was another table next to us. There was a girl and a gentleman -- a Korean couple. They were arguing very loudly. My translator told us they were arguing about the girl having an affair.

Host : Ooooohhhh...an affair! OK OK, then what?
TJ: So they were arguing and the gentleman was very drunk. He was drinking pretty heavily. He was heading out and paid for his food.

Host : Did the young woman follow?
TJ: No, she was just crying and bawling.

Host : Uh huh, uh huh.
TJ: It was very sad. Then there was another man outside who walked in. He saw me and he was kind of suspecting whether I was Tony Jaa or not. So he came up and asked me. It turns out, he saw my movie --

Host : [imitates the fan] Hey it's Tony Jaa! It's Tony Jaa!
TJ: Yes! Yes! So I gave him my autograph. And then, the girl that was crying turned around and was like, "HUH?! TONY JAA!" She just ran and asked for my autograph. The stunt team started backing off. They were like, "I'm not involved. Leave me out of it!"

Host : Was she still crying?
TJ: Yes she was. She was wiping her tears.

Host : But still asked for your autograph? [imitates female fan by pretending to wipe tears and reaches his palm out to let Tony Jaa sign it]
TJ: I was looking for her boyfriend and thinking : Am I gonna start some problems here?

Host : Oh yeah. Her boyfriend might come back and beat you up.
TJ: When I signed my autograph for her, she took my hand and kissed it! I was afraid there was gonna be a problem but I survived.

Host : As you can see, even though she was crying and having an affair, she was going to continue having another affair with Tony Jaa. [TJ laughs] So they really admire you. A fan crying, asking for your autograph, and even kissing your hand. That moment in Korea really touched your heart. So the promotion was over. Then you headed to another country.
TJ: We headed to Hong Kong. This put major pressure on me.

Host : Oh most definitely! Hong Kong movies are not ordinary.
TJ: Yes. Kings of martial arts films. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li and many others. All respected masters.

Host : A lot of pressure?
TJ: A lot of pressure. There was a lot of people at the premiere. It was in Mongkok. I was dressed in my Muay Thai wear -- shirtless, Muay Thai shorts, and ropes representing "Katcheuak". I was sitting upon this carriage, carried by my stuntmen.

Host : 4 people carrying you?
TJ: Yes. 4 people.

Host : And 3 people cheering? NO! I'm just playing!
TJ: [laughs] Nah, I had my Thais to cheer me on.

Host : OK, so they're carrying you down...
TJ: It was like in the middle of a market. so there was a whole bunch of people. "TONY JAA, COMING!" It was very loud --

Host : Wait! Hold up! The movie hasn't even premiered yet, correct?
TJ: No, not yet.

Host : So just from viewing the trailer, already they're screaming your name. Alright. Then what?
TJ: They carried me next to the stage and there was a short interview. Then I just did a flip off the carriage --

Host : You did a flip?!
TJ: The audience was like OOoohhh...

Host : Oh...I get it now. If you were some other normal star, like Hollywood stars for instance, they would just properly walk off. But not if you're TONY JAA. You see all these people, you've got to do something! You've got to take a risk. [TJ laughs] Ahhh...that's your persona!
TJ: They interviewed me. Then I gave them a performance before the movie premiered. I was demonstrating Muay Thai...People were like OOH! AH! OH!

Host : AY YA!
TJ: Like in Kung Fu films.

Host : So basically, you took your stunt team, demonstrated various Muay Thai moves, Jorake faht hahng -- things of that sort.
TJ: Then I walked on my stuntmen's shoulders...They were like WAAaaa....[both: AY YAAA!]

Host : Something like that...[to audience] You probably remember the scene where Jaa runs over the shoulders of the guys who were going to fight him -- he couldn't find a way to escape so he just walked over their shoulders. Everyone in the world believed that there was the use of wires.
TJ: Yes.

Host : But when they saw the real thing -- CRAZY!
TJ: Yes, there was a time --

Host : [interrupts] And by crazy, they meant you were CRAZY. [TJ laughs] They were like,"How'd you do that?!" They were really confused.
TJ: There was one time -- we didn't inform the audience that we would sneak in and observe.

Host : So after you performed, you snuck in.
TJ: Yes, that's right. And so...I went in and the movie was dubbed in some type of Chinese dialect. And oh wow, my voice!

Host : Oh, what was it like?
TJ: [imitates Chinese]

Host : [laughs] Oh man, I think I'm gonna go rent that. Oh and imagine how Mum Jokmok must've sounded like. [imitates Chinese] [TJ laughs] That was pretty good, right? OK OK, so you didn't understand anything but you knew what was going on.
TJ: Yes, and it was nice to enjoy it in a different flavor. After the movie ended -- [the theater was darka nd the lights were very dimmed] The host came out and announced, "TONY JAA IS HERE WITH YOU!" People just
started screaming,"AAaaahhhh...!" and clapped. Then...I got up from my seat and the people behind me were like...WHOAaa!!

Host : Oh! I see! You were sitting in the rows with them. But it wasn't until you stood up...AY YAAA!!! You were there all along!
TJ: The camera followed and my translator ran after me. I felt sorry for her [I'm assuming it's a female because he didn't say] because her feet was hurting that day. I stood in front of the audience and I greeted them,"Sawatdee krap!" And I had this Chinese phrase,"Ni man hao!" They clapped and they wanted me to perform for them.

Host : They wanted more.
TJ: Yeah, and so...it was very dark. I told my stuntmen to line up. I didn't even get a chance to warm up, I wasn't prepared at all. So I just started praying and meditating and after that, I just ran up. Everyone started cheering so loud.

Host : There were at least a thousand people in the theater. But the thing that your Hong Kong fans really admired about you was your interview. You gave them such a great interview that they just fell in love with you.
TJ: Yes, it doesn't matter where I go -- whether it's Korea, Singapore, or Hong Kong, I would always thank the people who have inspired me. And they would be, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. If these 3 people never existed, Tony Jaa wouldn't be here today.

Host : Yes...and this wasn't scripted or anything. It wasn't planned. Even when he first came on the show, he said that he grew up with those movies. So when you said that, they immediately accepted that there's only ONE Bruce Lee, ONE Jackie Chan, ONE Jet Li, and ONE Tony Jaa.
TJ: Yes. I felt really proud and honored because it was the one country that I felt the most pressure.

Host : And what about the girls? Do they scream and call for you? [Flirtatiously] "Hi, Tony Jaa!"
TJ: They come in all ranges. From little kids, teens, and adults.

Host : Even the old ones.
TJ: They would ask for my autograph and they said they would cherish it like one of their prized possessions. That's something that -- oh wow...

Host : I'm so happy that it came out this way...And you went to another country -- the most hi-tech and modern country in the world. That is Japan. So how was Japan?
TJ: Japan -- this was one of the countries I wanted to visit. And I went on a game show. They only allowed us 1 minute.

Host : Many of Japan's programs are very popular. They would invite many interesting people from around the world and put them on their show. But in this one program, they only gave you 1 minute.
TJ: We can do whatever we want within that 1 minute. There was a live audience. I warmed up in this really narrow room. Ok, so I had 1 minute. They called me out. We did the stunt where, one stuntman would stand on two stuntmen and I would kick a paddle off the stuntman at the top using a move from the Thai sport, "takraw". They called,"Tony Jaa!" I ran out, jumped, and just kicked. People were stunned! They said,"More! More!" So I just continued showing more stunts and moves. They interviewed me more, promoted the movie more -- all of it was 5 minutes.

Host : Hey...they said 1 minute. But when they saw you in action, even if they told you to stop you probably wouldn't. All you heard was more, more! Oh, the happiness.
TJ: Yes, I was so happy. And what I was most happy about was I was able to take the Thai language with me. Wherever I went, I always say,"Sawatdee krap! Kawp koon krap!" And all my fans would come up to me say,"Sawatdee krap!" And they're not even Thai!

Host : And it's not just the Thai language. You also took with you your Thai ways. So, how long did you stay in Japan?
TJ: Ah...about 10 days.

Host : You brought some souvenirs with you. [digs into bag] You have something from Japan. [TJ hands him nunchucks] This is like what we see in the movies. [starts twirling nunchucks]
TJ: I also brought back some clothes and things.

Host : [continues twirling] I'm pretty good, aren't I?
TJ: Yes. [starts backing off]

Host : Pretty good, huh?
TJ: Yes.

Host : You see, everyone? There could be a new hero in town. Anyways...the things you got aren't what's important, it's the welcome that you received. And while you were on these tours, you were also filming a movie. Another of Mr. Prachya's films. And that is...
TJ: Tom Yum Goong.

Host : You were in and out of filming. The success just started building up. This was in Asia. But this movie wasn't just shown in Asia, it continued. Next you went to?
TJ: Europe. In France.

Host : Have you've gone to France before?
TJ: NEVER.

Host : It's not just France. Laos is even hard to get to. Getting on a plane, is something you've never even dreamed of. But the world has opened itself to you, you must go. How was it in France?
TJ: This movie got to Europe with the help of Luc Besson, who is a director/producer.

Host : So he contacted Sahamongkol film and wanted to bring this movie to France. Luc Besson does a lot of action movies in particular. So, then what?
TJ: I sat on a plane to France, very long flight. -- over 10 hours.

Host : How many people went with you?
TJ: We went to France twice. The first time, it was my assistant [I think he means his translator], the director, and me. When we got there we met up with Luc Besson and he helped us promote the movie. Again, we performed in a movie theater. Luc Besson announced that I was there. Everyone cheered and clapped. So I stepped out. It didn't feel right if I didn't show or demonstrate anything.

Host : Yes, because that wouldn't be you if you just stood there and let them interview you. And you didn't want them to accuse you of using wires or something.
TJ: Yeah. But I didn't bring any of my stunt team. So Mr. Luc Besson volunteered to help me. I ran towards him, stepped on his chest, and flipped backwards.

Host : You let him stand still, you ran up to him, stepped and his chest, and flipped backwards??? Wait, did Luc Besson fly and end up in a different country now? [TJ laughs] Why would he let you do that?
TJ: Well, it seems as though he really liked this movie. It's a different movie, presenting a new type of martial arts to the world, so he was willing to do it for this movie.

Host : So he would stand on stage -- excuse me. [gestures TJ to stand up and walk to the front of the stage] Ok, so he stands like this. Then what do you do? [at this point the audiences begin to stir up and TJ begins to laugh] Ladies and gentleman, what you are about to see........................IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK! I've seen you in action. I'm not Luc Besson. I'm just explaining to them that Luc Besson was standing here and...??
TJ: OK, so he stands there [does his Muay Thai move] then I run up, kick him in the chest, and flip. I try to do it as gentle as possible so he wouldn't get hurt.

Host : You kick him in the chest and then you flip backwards. I don't care if you're kidding or not but when someone receives impact they fly off to a different country. Luc Besson could really stand still?
TJ: Yes.
Host : Really?
TJ: Yes. --

Host : I was actually wondering whether I should let you do that to me or not...Ladies and gentleman....I assure you....it's not gonna happen.

After that, the host thanks him for coming on the show and says he will return with Mr. Prachya Pinkaew and Mr. Panna Rittikrai.