The Unforgiving Kicks - Over The Ages Part IV

Siam’s national title (an exonym) was officially changed to Thailand in 1939, and this name, despite a brief interruption after the second world war, has since remained her identity.

 

Premier attraction 1945, Thavan Wongdevesr, champion of the pre-war army Lak Muang stadium. Raw guts and unlimited stamina were his trademark, hence the nickname.

The first post-war programme was hastily put together for the anxious muaythai community on 25 November, 1945, on a provisional ring at the Phatanakarn Cinema, with proceeds to aid the United Nations. In the main event, local favourite Thavan blasted Tawee (who was a substitute of Chaluay, a stronger match) to defeat by KO in four. The purses were 60 : 40 bahts. Other theatre arenas soon followed suit.

The Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium (RDN) came into operation in late 1945, result of a landmark development project straddling the Pacific War. It was the dream and an epochal era in the history of muaythai, with the future of Thailand’s oldest and most fabulous pastime tightly bound with its very existence.

The years 1946-50 were known in history as the Open-air period of the Rajadamnern Stadium. It saw the transformation of the previous native pastime or recreation into a modern, fully professional sport, then unique to the Kingdom of Thailand.

It was a boisterous period with scheduled weekly fixtures, showcasing the best talents from all over the nation, as they converged onto the bustling capital city... for gold and fame.

Title tournaments named after mythical creatures or animals were very popular at the time, drawing large crowds. There were hence champions, known by the tournament titles they won, like “Royal Beast”, “Supreme Warrior”, “Phantom Tiger”, “Golden Lion”, “Golden Dragon”, and Magnificent Tiger”, etc. while purses for top fighters up-surged incredibly, win-loss ratio, from 60/40 (1945) to 20,500/15,500 (1950) baht, which was quite a phenomenon.

The escalation of income for boxers meant a prodigious rise of their status in society.  

Bangkok's highly talented Thongbai Yontarakit, winner of the 134 pound title tournament at RDN, 1947.

Of the prewar heroes, Thongbai Yontarakit maintained his unbeatable streak to capture the most prestigious 4 Magnificent Tigers title (lightweight) in 1947.

Old veterans, Thavan, Prasert, Phol, Lertalay, and Somphong, King welterweight of Singapore (boxing), continued to campaign in the new arena with mixed success. And, as the old guards gradually faded in colour, the new generation of soldiers began to capture the spotlight.  

 

The legend - from fighting to counsel for peace of mind. — with 添野義二.

Among the new rising stars was Sakdi Thiamkamheng, a hard-kicking football player who fought the bloodiest battle of the time, on 16 March, 1947, to beat Sodsai Naruepai, the Elbow Warlord, for the Six Supreme Warrior title. The Korat kickboxer has since become known by the epithet “Supreme Warrior”(Saming Ek).

The legend of Sakdi really began to grow after his retirement from the ring, when he decided to turn to the path of enlightenment, by entering the Buddhist Sangha. In 1975, he ventured into the jungle in Nakorn Nayok, central Thailand, to meditate near the sacred Waterfall at Ban Na district, where, after years of soul-searching and offering spiritual advice to the local community, he was able to build a large monument, Wat Sri Kra-Ang Temple, the site of a Buddha image sitting on a spot 150 meters above ground level and 30 meters high – a record in Thailand.

The honorable Pra-song has since become the Holy Abbot of the great temple, and spent his life there. (The author purposely toured the holy place, in 2014, to pay tribute, and took the photos in this post)

Access lane to the great temple of Wat Sri Kra-arng at Ban Na district, Nakhon Nayok.

 

The tallest Buddha image in the Kingdom of Thailand, stands 30 meter high and 150 meters from ground.

 

Tribute to a great boxer, December, 2014.

 

Sacred image of the former RDN champion, Phra ajarn Chamrath Intrakamheng.

Back to the early RDN years, the best kickers were Surachai Luksurin, Pathom Yodjaipetch, Virasak Luksurin, and Sakchai Nakpayak...  

Handsome Terror, Surachai Luksrin, whose adroit left kicks and deadly left fist made him a shiny star, 1946-47.