The Unforgiving Kicks - Over The Ages Part III

Legacy of the Wild Kid of Isaan

The dark age of the Pacific War put a temporary stop to the fight game in the capital, when fights were held in only a handful of places in provincial Thailand in those insufferable years. One inspiring account of note was related in a two-figure novel by the late muaythai media magnifico, Deja Prakaranunta (Yaksa Sukh-Suriya Lukthung, Account of the life of two premier boxers from Isaan, published late 50’s ). The episode was recalled, as follows:

   

Story by Mr. Deja on Suriya Lukthung summarised in The Ring Magazine, 1978.

“After making a booming first appearance at the Lady Khunying Moh (Suranari) Festival held in Korat, around April 1942, local boy Suriya Lukthung was on stage again, on a double-header card at the cramped provisional arena modified from the city’s movie theatre. His opponent was a reputable brawler, Samarn Rajawat, from Bangkok….  

The fight opens : the journeying artisan wastes no time to engage the 108- pound local wonder, who chooses to keep dancing to the tune and drum-beat of native boxing music that filled the hot air. As he moves, twists and turns, showing almost flawless accord with the rhythm and flow of the eerie music playing, the assaults and fistic offensives by his adversary were all evaded, seemingly as part of the concert. This infuriates the aggressor, whose composure explodes into a contemptuous jeer… taunting his dancing foe to fight... Then, in split second, Suriya’s left foot is unleashed, fast as lightning, hitting the young man on his ear! The sound of impact, so loud as to match the breaking of a coconut shell, shocked the entire audience.  

 

Page 2 of summary on story of Suriya Lukthung.

As the stricken fighter sinks, his senses gone, drops on the canvas, his right hand still, subconsciously, holding onto that left leg of the wonder-boy. On retraction of the limb by the latter, the referee duly administers the ten-count, as a trail of crimson blood is seen trickling out from the fallen boxer’s right ear…….That vision of horror has since remained firmly imprinted in the memory of the author, never to diminish, even after all these years."  

 

Unattributed photo dated 1946 - possibly on fight in which Suriya ( person kicking) won by kayo in 3 for the most covetous trophy from the then Prime Minister of Thailand.

Suriya, the Wild Kid of Isaan, continued to occupy the spotlight in the provinces during those trying years, just about winning all his fights, except losing on a TKO to a physically superior Thep na Suwan (Bangkok) in the fourth. When the war ended came peace, the nation began her revival, as the mini-master kicker, who had all the while been indulging in unrestrained desires for sex and alcohol, made his way to the City of Angels (Bangkok), to fight firstly at the Tha Prachand ring. There he took the highest laurel of his life winning the Premier’s Trophy from Prime Minister Khuang Aphaiwongs, on 2 February, 1946, via a KO 3 over Suriyan Klasuek, with one signature high kick. (I was very fortunate to have seen the news on the event once.

 

H.E.Khuang Aphaiwongs, Prime Minister of Thailand who presented a designated trophy to Suriya, 1946.

He died sadly in the spring of 1947, possibly of poisoning, a rotten shell of his former self. Yet, the magic of his unique “Two-level” kicks and “Double elbow” sockers will forever be relished by fans and scholars of muay Korat. His career record, pursuant to the work of Deja, was only 3 losses in some 100 bouts (I am however inclined to think about 70 should be closer to the mark, due to the low frequency of activities at wartime).