Tony Jaa follows in the powerful martial arts footsteps of Bruce Lee Jackie Chan & Jet Li in ONG-BAK THE THAI WARRIOR one of the first films to centre on the ancient fighting system of Muay Thai which utilizes the body&s limbs to potentially devastating effect Jaa stars as Ting a quiet young man who lives in the peaceful village of Nong Pradu As the village&s special celebration approaches a Bangkok villain named Don (Wannakit Siriput) steals the head of the Buddha statue Ong-Bak which is said to protect the village from bad luck Ting volunteers to go to the big city to bring back the head of Ong-Bak but remembers what he was taught by sage monk Pra Cru (Woranard Tantipidok) he must not use his Muay Thai skills to harm people However soon after arriving in Bangkok Ting a peaceful fish out of water finds that the only way to recapture the village&s sacred treasure is by using his arms his legs--and his head Influenced by the films of Thai action star Phanna Rithikrai director Prachya Pinkaew hired the Muay Thai expert to serve as martial arts & stunt choreographer for ONG-BAK resulting in highly effective & believable scenes between Ting & a multitude of criminals & evil boxers out to get him Pinkaew adds a fun sense of humour to the serious story not only in some of the crazy stunts but also in the character of George played by Thai comic Petchthai Wongkamlao Jaa is charmingly fearless in the lead role performing all his own stunts without any special effects computer enhancement or ropes