The Monk Studios
Where Art and Technology Drive the Story
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2006
- Employees
- 201-500
- Offices
- 5
About The Monk Studios
The Monk Studios is an animation, visual effects and game art studio headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. Founded in 2006, the company produces computer-generated work for international feature films, episodic television, streaming productions, advertising and video games. Its business combines production services for entertainment companies with the development and co-production of original intellectual property.
The studio provides a full 3D animation pipeline, covering visual development, character design, modeling, texturing, rigging, layout, animation, look development and lighting. Its visual effects capabilities include live-action CG integration, creatures, digital environments, fur and hair grooming, dynamic simulations and compositing. These capabilities support both stylized character animation and photorealistic imagery, with work spanning individual production disciplines and broader script-to-screen assignments.
Animation and visual effects
The company's production history includes animation work on Rango, Strange Magic, Wish Dragon and The Tiger's Apprentice, alongside episodic projects such as Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny. Its visual effects credits include Monster Hunter, Carnival Row Season 2 and Locke & Key Season 3. More recent work includes Secret Level and animation and visual effects sequences for Ne Zha 2.
Alongside commissioned production, the studio develops original stories and international co-productions. It produced Sea of Love, released in 2022 as Thailand's first Netflix original preschool animated series. In May 2026, it announced the revival of Afterworld, an original animated fantasy feature created by Matt Braly.
Games and international production
The internal The Monk Games division provides external development services, including character and creature assets, environments, level design, real-time cinematic cutscenes, trailers and co-development. Its offering serves AAA developers as well as PC, console, mobile and virtual reality projects.
The company has expanded its production presence beyond Bangkok into northern Thailand and overseas operations. A strategic minority investment from Morgan Stanley's North Haven Thai Private Equity fund in March 2022 supported its international expansion, original content development and gaming initiatives.
More about The Monk Studios
Leadership and experience
- Juck Somsaman is Founder and CEO. Before establishing the company, he worked at Rhythm & Hues, with personal credits including Babe, Waterworld, Batman Forever, Scooby-Doo and Garfield.
- Nitipat Somsaman is Co-Founder and Deputy Managing Director.
- Trevor Bentley leads The Monk Vancouver.
Regional talent development
The Chiang Mai branch was established to train and employ digital talent from northern Thailand, connecting regional talent development with the studio's production operations.
Recognition and collaboration
The report records two awards at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August 2026 for the animated projects ChikaBOOM! and First Haircut!. The latter was co-developed with Pixar artists.
Notable credits
20 creditsOffices
Where The Monk Studios is based
- 50/1 Pattanakarn 17, Suan Luang, Bangkok 10250, ThailandBangkok, Thailand
Bangkok Headquarters
HeadquartersGlobal headquarters, executive management and main animation/VFX production hub.
- 2425 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC, CanadaVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The Monk Vancouver
Opened 2024
North American creative, production and client-liaison unit established in October 2024.
- China
China
- India
India
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai Studio
Opened 2022
Regional animation and CG production branch opened on January 4, 2022, to train and employ digital talent in northern Thailand.
Open roles
Find your next role at The Monk Studios