"The Protector," also known as "Tom-Yum-Goong" in Thai, is a 2005 Thai martial arts film directed by Prachya Pinkaew. The film stars Tony Jaa as Kham, a young man from rural Thailand who embarks on a quest to rescue his beloved elephant, Khon, which has been stolen by a gang of international criminals.
The story follows Kham as he travels from his village to the bustling city of Sydney, Australia, where he encounters various adversaries and engages in intense martial arts battles to retrieve his elephant. Along the way, he forms alliances with local law enforcement and other characters who assist him in his mission.
"The Protector" is known for its elaborate and highly choreographed action sequences, which prominently feature Tony Jaa's Muay Thai skills and acrobatic stunts. The film gained international recognition for its impressive martial arts action and helped solidify Tony Jaa's status as a martial arts action star.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, "The Protector" became a cult favorite among fans of martial arts cinema and further popularized Thai action films on the global stage. The film's success led to a sequel, "The Protector 2," released in 2013.