A challenging spirit lies beneath the rapid rise of recent Thai films. Take the action film genre as an example. To add Thai traditional action style to Hollywood and Jackie Chan-ish action films is what Prachya Pinkaew′s tried to do in making Ong Bak. The film, featuring Panom Yeerum, is totally different from the average Hollywood or Jackie Chan-style vehicles; it can be said the director succeeded in creating a new stvle Pane Yeerum′s powerful and graceful Muay Thai movements provide a wholly new inspiration. The story of a hero searching for lost treasures is a universal one, making the film appeal both to international and domestic audiences. It′s too early to say whether Ong Bak signaleo breed of new action film style that can compete against Hollywood or Hong Kong action films but it certainly marks a wonderful beginning.