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Former K-1 champion, professional fighter Bukaw Banchamek is moreso a lesser known action actor aside from having also appeared in Nopporn Watin’s 2010 period thriller, Yamada: The Samurai Of Ayothaya. Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped him from the prospects of taking his potential beyond the ring and onto a movie set, and his latest move now appears to be yet another period actioner in the form of Thongdee: The Warrior.
It’s more familiar territory for Thai action cinema it seems – a village backdrop, tribal ambience and a little romance with stylish action relative to the usual flying knees and elbows, mixed with what looks like a mingling of Chinese martial arts as well with another actor. But more importantly, it’s Bukaw in the lead, and in an industry that now remains looking for its next big regional star in a post-Jaa era, it looks as if they’ve found him and it’s safe to say he looks the part.
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Phraya Phichai was a Siamese general serving under King Taksin. After the fall of Ayudhya in 1767, Phraya Pichai and Chao Phraya Chakri (who later become the first King of Chakri Dynasty) followed Phraya Taksin in repelling the Burmese and reuniting Siam. They were considered Phraya Taksin’s left and right hands.
