Rumors have been circulating widely that Jaa Panom Yeerum the world-famous Thai action star from the 1990s known for films like Ong-Bak and Tom Yum Goong, which earned over 1 billion baht globally, is seriously ill with a suspected severe disease.
Recently, Jaa Panom along with his wife, Bungkee Piyarat and youngest daughter, Ruenkaew opened up in detail on the program “3 Zaap,” saying, “People have speculated many different illnesses. Today, I’m revealing what really happened. Two years ago, I woke up with a heavy pain in my abdomen, dark tea-colored urine, extreme thirst, yellow eyes and skin, and a high fever. Medication didn’t help, so I went to the hospital. The diagnosis was stage 3 bile duct cancer spreading to the liver. Urgent surgery was needed. The doctor said it would take four hours, but it actually took eight because of 26 affected spots including the pancreas and small intestine. The hardest part was near the veins, which was very dangerous.”
Khun Nam Kanchai asked which stage was the most difficult.
“I had never undergone surgery or treatment like this before. I had over 100 blood draws until my veins burst. After surgery, I had to carry blood and urine bags and underwent 15 radiation sessions. During treatment, I had to lie still in a tunnel for 45 minutes without moving or breathing deeply. I realized this was 'training for death!' I controlled my breath with Anapanasati meditation. My weight dropped from 75 to 59 kilograms. Mentally, I told myself to fight on; others have it worse than me.”
Aff Taksaorn asked, “No one knew for two years?”
“I didn’t tell anyone or announce it because I didn’t want to share my suffering. I just fought to the fullest. The most important thing was keeping a positive mindset, believing I would recover. I trusted my doctors, Thai medicine, my family, and fans who love me. I told myself, ‘It’s okay, I will come back.’ At the hospital, a nurse opened the door at 1 or 2 a.m. and was shocked to see me doing martial arts and yoga, stretching my leg over my neck. I told her I was managing my pain with mental focus. She was startled, thinking I was possessed! She asked why I didn’t ask for pain medication. (laughs) Even the doctor said normal people couldn’t do what I did.”
Did Hollywood friends know about your illness?
“I didn’t tell them, but they saw photos of my weight loss and kept video calling me. They’ve been very kind.”
Did you ever cry alone?
(Eyes welling, silent for a moment) “Facing this made me reflect on how to manage life. Fortunately, I had life insurance. The most important thing is I wasn’t fighting alone. I’m lucky to have my family’s support. Bungkee, my beloved wife, took care of everything behind the scenes so I had no worries. My two daughters, Jomkwan (13) and Ruenkaew (10), hugged me and held my stomach, telling me to keep fighting. I tried not to show weakness to them. Just that touch gave me strength. Our small family hugs and looks made me feel warm.”
Your life has been very challenging?
“I worked abroad alone for half a year, through freezing -20°C to extreme heat. I carried a Buddhist amulet pouch as a companion (after successful surgery, I once ordained). I talked to my amulets (showing them) — the Mahajanaka amulet I greatly respect for crossing waters and seas. While Westerners have crosses, we Thais have amulets. I even gave some to actor friends as souvenirs (showing a Hanuman amulet). This Hanuman flag bearer amulet I created is from a skill I learned, involving martial arts stunts and aerial acrobatics. I planted the Thai tricolor flag at Hollywood, China, and around the world where I went. People watching Thai films like Ong-Bak and Muay Thai know Hanuman is a martial art form, like Hanuman presenting a ring, stepping on a crow, or crossing the ocean. In Expend4bles (The Expendables 4), I played a boat captain carrying the Thai tricolor flag. I bowed and vowed to reach my goals!”
Any message for your fans?
“I want to thank all my fans worldwide who have cared and encouraged me. One day, we will meet again for ‘one more round!’ Let’s keep fighting!!!”
Catch the full interview on “3 Zaap” this Sunday (1 Mar 2026) at 1:15 p.m. on Channel 3 HD (No. 33).
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