2015 has been great to Thai action star,
Tony Jaa, following his long-disputed departure from his former career base at Sahamongkol under founding film producer Somsak Techaratanaprasert (a.k.a. Sia Jiang). The two have
since mutually parted ways with Techaratanaprasert dropping his case altogether following failed false contract dispute claims in the past few years against
Jaa in what has otherwise been a contentious litigatory battle that ultimately threatened to halt the star’s Thai releases of
Skin Trade with Dolph Lundgren, as well as his Hollywood debut in James Wan’s
Furious Seven and that of Soi Cheang’s
SPL 2: A Time For Consequences just as likely. That said,
Jaa and his team issued a statement via the action star’s Facebook page which you may read below:
Dear Members of the Press and Public,
As you are aware, there have been misunderstandings between Sahamongkol Film International Co., Ltd. (Sahamongkol Film) and I in relation to my Employment Agreement executed in 2003 which led to the filing of a number of court cases. Needless to say, all of the events in the past have troubled myself, Sahamongkol Film, Mr. Somsak Techaratanaprasert (Sia Jiang), and other persons close to us.
With the assistance of all of the relevant parties, Sahamongkol Film and I were able to settle our differences. We have therefore decided to end all legal actions against one another.
I regret any inconvenience caused to the public and wish to thank the Press and the general public for having followed developments involving me and for having given me support and encouraged me to continue to branch out in acting and in the field of martial arts in order to showcase “Thainess” on the world stage through Hollywood and International films and hopefully to continue to bring pride to the Thai people.
I regret that my relationship with Sia Jiang deteriorated and despite our disagreement would not have wished to cause offence to Sia Jiang and Sahamongkol Film. I will always appreciate Sia Jiang and Sahamongkol Film giving me the opportunity to follow my dreams and pursue my acting career.
While I now follow my own path, I wish Sia Jiang and Sahamongkol continued success in their pursuits.
Respectfully yours,
Japanom Yeerum (Tony Jaa)
Jaa‘s career in Thailand hasn’t been entirely for nothing having incidentally him on the worldwide map of movie fandom for millions of people. The Ong Bak Trilogy and The Protector films are exemplary of this, even though his career environment didn’t really lend him the space he needed to reach beyond the barriers Sahamongkol set for him, and were it entirely up to Techaratanaprasert, he would have probably kept it that way for another ten years.
I suppose now that this is no longer an issue, it may very well bring action star Jason Statham closer to making that
“fully-fledged…proper fight film” he wants to make with his
Furious Seven co-star.
Dreams do come true.
Stay tuned for more info.
