This translation is from a thai TV show called "Twilight Show" featuring Tony Jaa and aired on March / April 2005. You can download the entire show here. A very big thanks to Goddessy who make this translation.
 
Twilight Show Part 2

Host : Sia Jiang couldn't be here today. He had some business to take care of. He really wanted to be here though. But we have a clip of what he has to say about Panom Yeerum.
Sia Jiang : I've seen many of Jackie Chan's films. But he battled his adversaries using Kung Fu. So I wanted to make it different by having Tony Jaa use Muay Thai Boran. He is skilled in many martial arts and is a very loving person. He is very determined. He will train and do anything to make it come out right. And for his first movie, he refuses to use a stunt double, wires, or CG. He wanted to show the Thai audience the true Muay Thai Boran. I wanted people to feel that he's not just making recognition for Thailand, but be happy for his skills in martial arts. He has trained for so long -- he has sacrificed his whole being to be where he is today. I want every Thai to feel love for Jaa Panom. And I want Jaa Panom to continue doing things that would make the Thai people proud.

Host : And that was from Sia Jiang to Tony Jaa. And thanks to the two gentlemen who are able to join us here today. And the first gentleman sitting next to Jaa is the director of the movie, Mr. Prachya Pinkaew. Many people have heard of your name but never knew what you looked like. [jokingly] At first he wanted to star in an action movie himself but he took a good himself and realized it's not going to happen because after going up 3 steps he's already exhausted.
Prachya: [laughs]

Host : And another gentleman we may know very well for he has been on our show before. And that is, Mr. Panna Rittikrai. [To TJ] If you had to compare Mr. Panna to someone, who would it be?
TJ: A teacher, a master, a brother, and even a father. He has always looked out for me and taught me many things.

Host : In the early days, you watched his films and you were intrigued by this action hero.
TJ: Yes.

Host : And after admiring him so much, you ended up working with the man himself. And as for Mr. Panna, were you pleased with your student?
Panna: Bruce Lee had always been my hero. He was also an inspiration of mine. But once he was gone, I've had this thought : someday Jackie Chan won't be here, Jet Li won't be here...I was waiting for someone who can continue making movies [that's done for real] for me to enjoy. And he happens to be right around the corner.

Host : Now let's go to Mr. Prachya. Do you remember when they presented those videos that they made to show you? What was your reaction, how did you feel?
Prachya: At first, I wasn't interested. I was like Panna, why'd you do that. That was a waste of money, who's going to pay for this? But when I started watching it, I was like,"He can fly!" So, yeah. I was pretty stunned.

Host : That was the beginning of Ong Bak. Then it got into : Who is this kid?
Prachya: Yes.

Host : When he was on the tour, usually Prachya and Panna would go with him. But they might alternate every once and a while. But Mr. Prachya, you went with him almost every time?
Prachya: Yes.

Host : Were you there with him when he stepped on Luc Besson's chest?
Prachya: Yes, I was there.

Host : Can he really step on someone's chest and flip backwards?
Prachya: Well, he can already do the flip --

Host : No, no, no...can he really do it???
Prachya: Yes, he can.

Host : Can you stand and let him do it to you then? [Panna and TJ laughs] The viewers were wondering why I didn't let him step on my chest.
Prachya: It's a matter of deception -- it's not like he really kicks you with all his might. It's more like a tap on the chest.

Host : Ohhh...I see. Did you get that from Panna.
TJ: Yes. One time, we were going to do that to a reporter. I first demonstrated it with one of my stuntmen. I did that move and the stunt man slid pretty far. The reporter saw it and got really scared.

Host : Like,"Am I gonna go that far too?!"
TJ: Yeah. But no, really it's not like that.

Host : So there's a special technique for it. If you had told me that last time I would have let you do it to me.
Panna: But it's not that easy. It's a personal skill that he has.

[shows magazines from France again]

Host : After France, you went back to shoot Tom Yum Goong again. But Sia Jiang called you up again. This time, you're going to..?
TJ: America.

Host : When hear America, what's going through your mind?
TJ: It wasn't something we expected or thought could happen. I was really honored when I heard that.

Host : What did you do there?
TJ: We first went to L.A. to a basketball game. I had no idea the stadium was so big.

Host : Mr. Prachya, how did you feel?
Prachya: I was stunned by what they prepared for us. It was during halftime and they would have all these acts and things.
TJ: They gave us 3 minutes. I couldn't make an mistakes. I was carrying Thailand on my back! There were so many people. And my feet was hurting that day. Then I thought a little bit : They flew me in free, gave us a place to stay for free, and brought the art of Muay Thai to show for free. So I had to do it and do it right. Then they announced, "Welcome Tony Jaa, from Thailand!"

Host : Did anyone there know who you were?
Prachya : Some people fairly knew who he was.

Host : They've seen posters of the movie around L.A. and knew that a movie from Thailand was going to be coming soon. So they knew you were the star of this movie. Ok, they called your name...
TJ: I walked out and the noise was unbelievable. I looked only at my 5 stuntmen. I wasn't concentrating on the things around me. The only thing on my mind was God, our Majesty the King, and my mother and father. I decided to yell and go for it, walking on their shoulders. I felt like I was flying. I didn't even look at their shoulders, I just flew. I could only hear the screams,"Amazing! Oh my God!" They cheered and I continued to demonstrate more. At the last stunt where I kick the paddle, my mouth just went dry and I was tired. I started clapping and everyone in the audience clapped along with me. I let out a yell, flipped, and kicked. People yelled and cheered. It was amazing. And they were screaming more! more!

Host : I'm sure you two [Prachya and Panna] were excited and nervous as well! And you [Panna] know what it's like when your feet is hurting. And as for you [Prachya] you're thinking : My movie! How is my movie going to turn out if he starts falling! You would be like : Get on out of here.
Prachya:[laughs] I knew he was tired that day and his feet was hurting. The one stunt that really made me nervous was the last stunt. We usually use a paddle but this time, we replaced it with a basketball; therefore, it's higher than usual. I was afraid he might not make it.

Host : What about you [Panna]?
Panna: Some people still didn't know him, so they would walk to the bathroom. So I told Jaa to hurry up and make sure he can nail it. And when Jaa began to run over the stuntmen's shoulders, the people heading to the bathroom started turning around and looking. They stopped and they didn't
go to the bathroom. They just started cheering.

Host : They just stood there and peed. [imitates urinating sound and all laugh] They clapped over and over again. And stood up. In English, it's called a "standing ovation". Generally, when they show respect they just clap. But when they stand up, it's the ultimate respect. -- Did you see your posters?
TJ: Yes. There was one where it was right next to the poster of Jennifer Lopez. I was like,"Hey! It's so close to her!"

Host : Oh wow, Jaa! You were that happy just to see her poster next to yours?? What if they ask her to star in your new movie next time?!
TJ: Wow...

Host : Next you went to Dallas.
TJ: Yes, much more confident this time. Yes I've won!

Host : You won? What do you mean by that?
TJ: I've won the hearts of the viewers.

Host : When you were there, you had a translator. And the translator with you was so happy for you, she just cried.
TJ: She had never seen a Thai person who has been so welcomed.
Prachya: She lives there.

Host : Oh, so she knows what people are like there. Next?
TJ: We continued to go and promote the movie. I performed in movie theaters again. They took me on elevator. And when the elevator opened to the 2nd or 3rd floor, I was greeted by Shaolin monks. About 30 monks. And they've also seen Ong Bak. They commented that the movie displayed martial arts in the most truest, clearest way.

Host : They gave you something too. [takes out beaded bracelets, necklace, and a shirt and pants signed by one of the monks.] Before you went to America, did you think this movie would do well, Mr. Prachya? Were you afraid?
Prachya: Making it to America, is a dream for many Thai movies -- to be in the box office. Just to be the 100th would be good. We got to 40. At first they told us it would play in about 200 theatres.

Host : 200 theatres, do you consider that a lot?
Prachya: Yes, for a Thai movie it is because a Thai movie has never gotten more than 10 theatres.

Host : First Ong Bak went to 250 theatres. After a few days, it went up to...
TJ: 387 theatres.

Host : It was the 40th on the box office, but then it went up to the 17th.
Prachya: Yes.

Host : During the tour in America, you did your usual thing. Showing up at the premiere, things like that. How was the reaction?
TJ: Oh wow. They were really into it. It's not like how we would watch a movie.
Prachya: It was like they were watching a concert.
TJ: They were like Ya! Oh! [kicks and punches]

Host : The whole theatre?? How were you feeling?
TJ: I've never seen anything like it.
Prachya: Even the comedy that we didn't think they'd laugh at, they actually did. Like when the woman walks by Mum selling knives.

Host : What about when you flipped between the glass, or when you did a split under the car?
TJ: Yeah, they reacted to it [imitates audience's reactions]

Host : Let's talk about your new movie. And that is?
Prachya: Tom Yum Goong.

Host : Did it put any kind of pressure on you?
Prachya: Yes. The more I see how much people like Ong Bak, the harder it became.

Host : Yes, of course.
Prachya: Panna, Tony Jaa, and I came together and we decided, there's no need to hold back anymore. Let's just put our all into the new movie.

Host : Panna is still the choreographer for the fight scenes in the new movie.
Prachya: Yes.

Host : Is there anything special or new about the fight scenes in this new movie?
Panna: Because of the reactions around the world, I had to go back and watch Ong Bak again. So, what do we do next? So I thought with Jaa. In the end, we found a way out. Let's present another form of Muay Thai that hasn't been seen before. And present more of the Thai culture.

Host : How much of this movie has been filmed?
Prachya: Over 80%

Host : And are you satisfied with the 80% so far?
Prachya: I was relieved. What I was relieved with wasn't the actions scenes, but more of the way of the elephants. And Jaa raises elephants.

Host : Yes, this movie will deal with the bond between elephants and humans. And now, Jaa has improved his acting skills.
Prachya: Yes.

Host : He's not the same Panom Yeerum who's going to come and just start beating up people. This time, he will have emotion -- all the elements of movie. And so, this is what you were satisfied with.
Prachya: Yes.

Host : When will the Thai people get to see this?
Prachya: In August.

Host : [To TJ] Are you satisfied with the work you've done?
TJ: Yes. And very glad that I was born on the grounds of Thailand and to be able to share the art of Muay Thai with the rest of the world.

Host : And Mr. Prachya, you're not just making a Thai movie now, right? It's not just within Thailand now. The whole world is seeing this.
Prachya: In the internet, you can see people from around the world, following news of Tom Yum Goong, and everything about us. Even this show, I'm sure will end up on the internet.

Host : Huh?! Really? How do you do?![to us] -- while you were promoting Ong Bak. There were many rumors about you. Such as?
TJ: There were rumors that I accepted a role in Die Hard 4 with Bruce Wilis.

Host : Second rumor?
TJ: Next was Drunken Master 3 with Jackie Chan.

Host : And there was something about Tom Cruise.
Prachya: That wasn't a rumor.
TJ: That was true. Tom Cruise asked for a copy of the film to watch at home.

Host : Huh? He's gonna ask you to marry him? [laughs] People may wonder why they entitled this new movie, Tom Yum Goong. This is because, when people hear it, they'll know it's Thai.
Prachya: Yes.

Host : Currently, and this point and time, who is TONY JAA?
TJ: The same usual guy.

Host : Any changes in personality, speech? Anything? Let's ask Mr. Panna.
Panna: His personality and ways are still the same.
TJ: Yaay!!

Host : What's not the same?
Panna: He had to adapt to new surroundings and a different society, which he has done very well.

Host : Do you remember when he first came on the show? When he first came in he was looking around. They said you had to talk to me and you just sat shaking and trembling, yes?
TJ: [laughing] yes.

Host : You shook my hand [trembles] You were shaking like crazy. But now that's not a problem. [to Prachya] Has he changed?
TJ: At first, he didn't really know how to prepare. He would start off by meditating, praying in temples. Before we could even begin shooting, we'd have to wait for him for half an hour. He would go around bowing to monks in temples, things of his nature.

Host : Aw, how nice.
TJ: Yes, the power is from within.

Host : What do you want from the future?
TJ: I just want to be able to give back to my family. I want to do my duty and return to nature.

Host : You said the greatest victory is winning your own heart, and not anyone else's.
TJ: I got that from all the martial arts that I learned. Martial arts teaches you that we, as humans should love one another and be friends. The only reason you learn martial arts is to win over your own heart.

Host : Besides your friends and family, the two that could be here today are one of the most important people in you life. One is your master, who taught you everything about martial arts. And Prachya Pinkaew who gave you life on screen. As for Sia Jiang who couldn't be here today, also gave a whole lot to you. -- You now have the highest life insurance in Thailand. So this means you're really afraid he's going to die. [all laugh] -- Wherever your determination is, that's also where success is. Good concentration, intention, and conscience, is the result of this man, Panom Yeerum or Tony Jaa.
TJ: Thank you.

[at the end]

Host : I don't know what to give you that would be better than this. Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a round of applause for Tony Jaa!

[the audience gives a standing ovation]
Previous