Article: Top 10 Highest Budget Action Thai Films In History

Everyone loves a good old action film. Be it a Jackie Chan starrer or a Bruce Lee starrer, we can all agree that martial arts make for some of the most awe-inspiring and nail-biting action flicks and sequences of all time. Asian movies are full of such action sequences as each country has its form of martial arts. Any good film has special effects such as battle sounds and exaggerated breaking and destruction of things that add to the suspense of the film. To do so, the filmmaker must be ready with a hefty sum of money to pay for such additional expenses, and on that note, here is a list of the Top 10 Highest Budget Action T

1. Yamada: Samurai Of Ayothaya

The film portrays the historical figure Yamada Nagamasa, a mercenary samurai and adventurer who, after being rescued by Siamese warriors, gains trust and influence over a considerable part of Thailand and his journey to eventually become the governor of the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand. It had a budget of 100 million THB.

 

2. The Bodyguard 2

The Bodyguard 2 was directed by Petchtai Wongkamlao and guest stars Tony Jaa. This flick is a prequel to the first film of the same name and tells the past of Khamlao who is a Black op secret agent. This film had a budget of 100 million THB, making it the highest budget film of its time.

 

3. Edge Of The Empire

Based on the 1973 novel by Sanya Pholprasit, this film is set in 12th century Thailand, this film follows a young brave warrior from the tribe of Tai, a colony under the lordship of Great Han, and his struggles to unite and defend their war-ravaged nation against the oppression of their overlords and the Imperial Chinese army. It has a budget of 101 million THB.

 

4. Queens Of Langkasuka

Scripted by two-time S.E.A. winner Win Lyowari, this film is set in the kingdom of Pattani. With the threat of an alliance between rebel Prince Rawai and the pirates of Black Raven looming over them, Pattani's ruler Queen Hijau and her sisters, Princesses Biru and Ungu must team up to fight all odds and defend their land and people. It had a budget of 140 million THB.

 

5. Chocolate

This touching action flick follows Zen who is played by child actress Yanin Vismitananda who is at a standstill when she receives her mom Zin's terminal cancer diagnosis and must collect funds for her medicine. It had a budget of 150 million THB.

 

6. Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior

This crime thriller film starring Tony Jaa as Boonting was directed by Prachya Pinkaew and follows the former's journey to Sydney where he rescues the head of the elusive statue of Ong Bak. This film had a budget of almost 150 million THB.

 

7. The Legend Of Muay Thai: 9 Satra

With graphics from some of the best Thai animators, 9 Satra tells the story of Aod "Ott" who sets in search of the armor of 9 Satras to save the village of Rapthep that has been taken over by the Asuras. This film had a budget of 230 million THB.

 

8. Tom-Yum-Goong

This film was directed by Prachya Pinkaew and follows a young Muay Thai fighter who travels to Australia to rescue trafficked and smuggled elephants that were originally promised to the monarch of Thailand. This film had a budget of 300 million THB.

 

9. The Legend Of Suriyothai

The Legend of Suriyothai was directed by esteemed director Chatrichalerm Yukol and follows the tale of the feminist icon and heroine Her Highness Suriyothai who sacrifices her being for her kingdom. This historical piece had a budget of 350 million THB.

 

10. The Legend Of King Naresuan

The plot follows King Naresuan, ruler of Siam from 1590 to 1605, and focuses on all aspects of his life as he grows in the ranks from a monk into a renowned military strategist and expands the Siamese kingdom, and wins sovereignty from the Burmese ruler King Nonthabureng. Shot over a span of 3 years, this film is the most expensive Thai film ever made with a whopping budget of 700 million THB!