The Protector (2005)

The Protector plot: what the story is about

Kham, played by Tony Jaa, is a young Thai fighter with a deep bond with the elephant in his care. When the animal is stolen and taken out of Thailand, Kham follows the trail to Sydney, Australia. He arrives in a city he doesn’t know, far from the temple traditions and Buddhist values he grew up with.

In Sydney he finds an ally in Mark (Petchtai Wongkamlao), a Thai-born police detective who knows both worlds. Together they go up against a criminal gang run by the ruthless Madame Rose (Jin Xing). The gang is backed by dangerous enforcers, so every step Kham takes toward his elephant means more fighters to face.

The story is simple: a man’s loyalty to an animal he considers family. That idea drives a string of action set pieces built around Kham’s martial arts skills. The film’s tagline, “Vengeance Knows No Mercy,” signals the hard-hitting tone. The original Thai title is Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง).

The Protector review guide: what makes it notable

• Tony Jaa in the lead: The film is built around Jaa’s physical, martial arts-driven performance as Kham.
• Director Prachya Pinkaew: Pinkaew directed the film and co-wrote it with Piyaros Thongdee, Joe Wannapin, Kongdej Jaturanrasmee and Napalee.
• A varied fighting cast: The ensemble includes Nathan Jones as T.K. and Johnny Tri Nguyen as Johnny. Lateef Crowder plays a capoeira fighter and Jonathan Patrick Foo a wushu fighter, so the film features a range of fighting styles.
• Thai-Australian production: It was produced by Sahamongkolfilm with Baa-Ram-Ewe and K&K McGrath Productions. It was shot as a Thailand–Australia co-production, with dialogue in Thai, English, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
• Genre mix: The film blends action, crime, drama and thriller, with themes of Buddhism, loyalty and the bond between people and animals.

The film runs 105 minutes.

Who will enjoy The Protector

• Fans of Thai martial arts cinema and Tony Jaa’s work
• Viewers who like straightforward revenge-and-rescue action stories
• Anyone curious about Asian action films from the mid-2000s
• Audiences who enjoy seeing different fighting styles face off on screen
• Animal lovers drawn to a story about a man and his elephant

Release date in the Philippines and where to watch

The Protector first premiered on August 11, 2005. A specific Philippine release date is not listed in TMDB data.

Streaming or rental options in the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026. Local availability can change, so check your preferred streaming services and digital stores for updates. A trailer for the film is available.

Trailer

Cast

• Tony Jaaas KhamSee credits →
• Petchtai Wongkamlaoas MarkSee credits →
• Bongkoj Khongmalaias Pla
• Jin Xingas Madame Rose
• Nathan Jonesas T.K.
• Johnny Tri Nguyenas Johnny
• Lateef Crowderas Capoeira Fighter
• Jonathan Patrick Fooas Wushu Fighter

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

What is The Protector (2005) about?

Kham, a young Thai fighter, travels to Sydney, Australia, to recover his stolen elephant. A Thai-born detective helps him as he takes on a criminal gang led by Madame Rose.

Who is in the cast of The Protector?

Tony Jaa stars as Kham, with Petchtai Wongkamlao as Mark, Bongkoj Khongmalai as Pla and Jin Xing as Madame Rose. Nathan Jones plays T.K. and Johnny Tri Nguyen plays Johnny.

When was The Protector released, and is there a Philippine release date?

The film first premiered on August 11, 2005. A specific Philippine release date is not listed in TMDB data.

Where can I watch The Protector in the Philippines?

Streaming and rental options for the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026. Check local streaming services and digital stores for updates.

How long is The Protector?

The Protector has a runtime of 105 minutes.

Sources

1. TMDB
2. IMDb