Tony Jaa

Tatchakorn Yeerum (born February 5, 1976 in Surin province, Isaan, Thailand), better known in the West as Tony Jaa and in Thailand as Jaa Panom, is a Thai martial art film actor, choreographer and director. His films include Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, Tom-Yum-Goong (also called Warrior King or The Protector) and Ong Bak 2.

Tony Jaa comes from the Surin province of the Thai region of Isan. He grew up in Surin, and learned to speak Thai, Khmer and Lao although he is of the Kuy tribe.[citation needed] Jaa grew up in a rural area and watched films by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li at temple fairs. He was inspired by them and whilst doing chores or playing with friends, he would imitate the martial arts moves he had seen in the films. He would practice in his father's rice paddy or, when bathing the family's elephants, he would somersault off their backs into the river.

At age 15 he requested to become a protege of stuntman and action-film director Panna Rittikrai. Panna instructed Jaa to attend Maha Sarakham College of Physical Education in Maha Sarakham Province.

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