Known for Directing
The founder of the Thai film production company, Chaiyo Productions, Sompote Saengduenchai (สมโพธิ แสงเดือนฉาย), better known as Sompote Sands (May 24, 1941 - August 25, 2021), was a Thai film director, producer, and special effects artist. He was best known for co-directing and producing two Japanese-Thai co-productions, "Jumborg Ace & Giant" (1974) and "Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen" (1974), as well as other science fiction, fantasy, and horror films including "Hanuman and the Five Riders" (1975), the cult classic "Crocodile" (1980), "Phra Rod Meree" (1981), "Space Warriors 2000" (1985), and the children's film "Magic Lizard" (1985). Beginning in 1996, he was a major part of the licensing rights dispute between Chaiyo Productions and Tsuburaya Productions, the original Japanese studio behind Ultraman, claiming to have co-ownership of the series outside of Japan. On August 25, 2021, Sands passed away from cancer at the age of 80.
Born
May 24, 1941
Died
August 25, 2021 (age 80)
Birthplace
Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan, Thailand
Filmography
76 films


Project Ultraman
2006 · 3m
country: Thailand
The only footage of planned Project Ultraman TV series, shown publicly.


Jumborg Ace and Giant (2001 Special Edition)
2001 · 1h 36m
country: Thailand
The Special Edition edit of the Thai and Japanese Coproduction Jumborg Ace and Giant from 2001. This edit removes the comedy scenes from the 1974 film and substitutes the comedy with footage from the Jumborg Ace TV show. This version of the film is redubbed.


Magic Lizard
1985 · 1h 50m
country: Thailand
After an opening sequence in which we watch Magic Lizard roller-skating around the city to the accompaniment of 80s dance music, recycled footage from the earlier Giant and Jumbo A shows us some space aliens landing in a pink flying saucer. One of the aliens steals into a cave beneath a temple where the hapless but lovable Magic Lizard appears to be responsible for guarding some kind of treasure. After threatening Magic Lizard with a light saber, the alien makes off with a crystal of some sort, after which Magic Lizard starts with the high-pitched nattering and spazzing out that will characterize his behavior for the rest of the film. He runs to Yuk Wud Jaeng, the demon-like living statue previously featured in both Giant and Jumbo A and Tah Tien and pleads for his help. Yuk Wud Jaeng takes off into the heavens, not to be seen again for some time.


Space Warriors 2000
1985 · 1h 32m
country: United States
"In the hands of a small boy of pure heart, a space warrior doll magically comes to life and flies to join other warriors of the Galaxy Council. In outer space they battle hideous alien monsters who are bent on destroying the planet Earth." - Cinema Shares Trade Description. An English re-edit of "Hanuman and the Eleven Ultramen" (หนุมาน พบ 11 ยอดมนุษย์, 1984). Hanuman and the Eleven Ultramen is a reissue of Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen (1974) that uses footage from "ULTRAMAN ZOFFY" (1984)


The Noble War
1984 · 1h 31m
country: Thailand
"The film itself was adapted from a classical Thai art form of drama called "Khon"which means Masked drama, considered by Thais as the most highly dramatic art form and certainly, representing a part of Thai Thai culture. However, the action in the film was sped up and faster than the original "khon" on the stage, including the content of the story. The modern special effect techniques were used to create the miracle and magic performed by each side of the warriors in the story. The story tells about the battle between the great King Rama and Demon Kumpakan, younger brother of Tosakan, the demon king, Rama's army of monkeys are shown fighting valiantly against Kumpakan's Demons. This is the very first time that the elegance and brilliance of "Ramakien" has been converted into a fascinating film by a professional group of Thai film producers." - Poster Text


Hanuman and the Eleven Ultramen
1984 · 1h 45m
country: Thailand
A reissue of the film "Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen" but with a condensed version of the 1984 film "Ultraman Zoffy" as the first half of the film. The Seven Ultramen portion in the second half is a shortened version of the original film which removes several characters. The film would be further re-edited in the U.S. as "Space Warriors 2000".


Giant Crocodile
1980 · 1h 40m
country: Thailand
Due to nuclear testing, a crocodile is mutated and hunts in Thailand's shores and rivers. Three men, alongside a reporter stowaway, begin to track down the giant crocodile in a boat to kill it.


Crocodile
1979 · 1h 32m
country: Hong Kong
A giant crocodile is killing and frightening people living nearby rivers. Two men, whose wives and daughter have been killed by the crocodile, decide to chase and eliminate it.


The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. The Monster Army
1979 · 1h 20m
country: Japan
A young boy named Kochan is given the ability to transform into Hanuman after he was murdered, and now he and the 6 Ultra Brothers must fight against five monsters who were awakened from the destruction of a rocket test site.


7 Days in Beijing
1975
country: Thailand
An unfinished and unreleased documentary about the historic 1975 meeting between Mao Zedong and Kukrit Pramoj, which normalized relations between China and Thailand.


Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders
1975 · 1h 46m
country: Thailand
With an unquenchable thirst for the blood of virgin women, the wicked King Dark enslaves the brilliant Thai scientist Dr. Wisut to create an army of monsters to put an end to the chivalrous efforts of the cyborg warrior Kamen Riders. When their efforts fail, can the Hindu god Hanuman help? Semi-official Thai/Japan co-production between Chaiyo and Toei. Toei allowed the usage of the Five Riders vs. King Dark film while Chaiyo forgot to license the characters out (Source: Dubbing Wiki).


The Ultraman
1975 · 1h 35m
country: Hong Kong
After being killed by a gang of bandits who desecrate a Buddha statue, a young boy named Ah Kuo is revived by Ultramen and becomes a new Ultraman. Together, the Ultramen battle an army of monsters who are awakened by a failed rocket test.


Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen
1974 · 1h 43m
country: Thailand
After a valiant Thai boy is brutally murdered by a gang of archeological looters, his soul is joined with the Hindu god Hanuman, who teams up with Ultraman and his brethren against familiar Ultra-foes unleashed by a weather control experiment gone awry, in this influential Thai-Japanese co-production.


Jumborg Ace and Giant
1974 · 1h 33m
country: Thailand
When the aliens steal the Suriyatras diamond and combine it with the power of the sun to make a beam that can destroy the Earth. A robot and an ancient god must join forces to fight the alien invaders to get the diamond back. This film was the first collaboration between Tsuburaya Productions of Japan and Chaiyo Productions of Thailand. Based on the final episode of the Jumborg Ace TV series


Tah Tien
1973 · 1h 43m
country: Thailand
Tah Tien is ostensibly a retelling of an old Thai folk tale about a battle between two giants, Yak Wat Jaeng and Yak Wat Pho.


Chalawan
1972
country: Thailand
A man goes on the hunt for a crocodile who has been killing local villagers. The directorial debut of Sompote Sands though it has been since lost.