French/Thai co-production Chok Dee: The Kickboxer is loosely based on the real life story of French kick boxing champion Dida Diafat. Diafat himself plays the role of Ryan, a young French thug arrested for stealing a car stereo. While serving time in prison, Ryan meets Jean (Bernard Giraudeau), a Muay Thai instructor who urges him to go to Bangkok's famed Lukbarnaye camp to learn kick boxing. Upon his release he travels to Thailand but is refused admission by the camp's trainers because he's French. Ryan persists and vows to prove his worth to the camp, and become one of the world's best fighters.
