DIESELNOI CHOR THANASUKARN (Career 1970-1980)
DIESELNOI CHOR THANASUKARN
« THE SKY PIERCING KNEE KICKER »
Dieselnoi whose real name is Charin Sorndee was born on December 26, 1961 in Hua Khung in the province of Nakhon Luang in the region of Phra Nakorn Sri Ayudhaya (He grew up in this region, officially he was born in Ayutthaya). Charin had a big brother and a big sister, he was the youngest of the Sorndee family. His parents were shopkeepers on merchant ships (Sale of charcoal), the young Charin was practically born on a boat. Charin’s family was on a large river boat, the boat was sailing the Pasak River, when her mother started having important labors, she was taken to hospital with a rowboat. But when she arrived at the Hua Ro dock (Ayutthaya district), she gave birth to her child…
The Sorndee family was not very rich, but they did not live under the poverty line like many farming families in the central region of Thailand.
Charin started boxing at the age of 12, his big brother and his father loved boxing, they made him want to do the sport. But they also forced him a little to practice boxing…
His father had given his child two choices for his future, either, he had “to take orders to become a monk” or, he had “to do boxing to become a professional boxer”. Charin was afraid of ghosts, Thai monks must constantly chase ghosts from all places where they can settle, good and bad spirits are everywhere, the majority of Thai people firmly believe in their existence. Charin preferred to make a career in boxing, for him, it was less dangerous to face boxers than ghosts…
Charin began his training in Muay Thai with his big brother who was named Sunan Sorndee, he was his first teacher. His big brother absolutely wanted Dieselnoi to become a good boxer, he pushed him to train hard, so much that Dieselnoi had a tear in the spleen, he was hospitalized and had to stop boxing for a while.
Then, Dieselnoi followed his big brother who sold charcoal in the region of Trat (Eastern region of the country near the border of Cambodia). The Sorndee family settled in the province of Trat. In Trat, Dieselnoi’s older brother took him to the small Sor Banjongsak camp, the camp belonged to Khru Banjong. Charin took the fighter name of “Dieselnoi Sor Banjongsak” and fought a few months for this camp. He made his first fight at 13 years under this name, he won his match by KO and won the modest sum of 50 baht (1 € 40).
Then Dieselnoi went to Chonburi because his big brother was selling charcoal in that region. Dieselnoi joined the Sor Worakulchai camp of Master Boonlert Sriworakul, he took the fighter name of “Dieselnoi Sor Worakulchai“.
His morphology, his fighting style, his rage in the ring, allowed him to be undefeated for a long time in the regions of the provinces of Thailand such as Chonburi, Rayong and Trat, at the beginning of his career, he made more than 20 fights without any defeats. Thanks to his large size, his devastating knee strikes have brought down many of his opponents.
At 15 years, Dieselnoi went to the Sor Sirinan (Chor Thanasukarn) camp in Bangkok, the camp of “Hey Kuang” Somchai Duangprasertdee and “Janan” Sirinand Duangprasertdee.
He took the name “Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn” and fought for about a year for this camp before being bought by the famous Sor Thanikul Gym camp from promoter Kleo Thanikul. Sor Thanikul Gym had just opened in 1977 and Dieselnoi was one of the first Sor Thanikul Gym champions. Dieselnoi Sor Thanikul fought under the colors of this camp for five years, a camp which at the time included the great champions Sombat, Samingnoi, Banklanoi, Lom Isaan, Youssop and other wonders of Muay Thai who arrived later.
Dieselnoi ended his career in the Ha Phalang Gym camp with the two stars Chamophet Ha Phalang (5 belts from Radja, 4 belts from Lumpinee, Best boxer of the year 1985) and Panomtuanglek Ha Phalang (Champion of Radja in 118 lbs and in 115 lbs, Lumpinee champion in 122 lbs, Best boxer of the year 1986).
The Sor Thanikul camp belonged to Mr. Kleo Thanikul, the biggest godfather of the Mafia in Bangkok and the Ha Phalang camp was led by Mr. Chainat Palangwattanakit nicknamed “Gnow Ha Phalang”, a prominent gangster of Bangkok. These two great Bangkok mafiosi have often made war for stories of money and territories. Gnow Ha Phalang was assassinated in 1988 in the stadium of Lumpinee and Kleo Thanikul died of multiple gunshot wounds in 1991 in his car on Pinklao Nakhon Chaisi road…
Dieselnoi is, with Samart Payakaroon, certainly one of the boxers who most marked the history of Muay Thai in Thailand. This extraordinary fighter measured nearly one meter ninety (1m88), for a weight of 60 Kg to 62 Kg. The average tall of a man in Thailand in the 70s was 1m65. The Thai people who exceeded the tall of 1m80 were really very rare at the time.
The best known was the actor «Mitr Chaibancha», the «John Wayne Thai», which was nearly 1 meter 90 and which was the biggest star of Thai cinema in the 50s and 60s (300 films), died at age 36 in 1970 his funeral was like a national mourning for his many fans. Before being a movie star, Mitr Chaibancha was a formidable fighter in Muay Thai. Thanks to his tall stature, he won a lot of fights and won several provincial titles in the light weight category.
Dieselnoi destroyed all his opponents with his fabulous kneeling techniques. He was nicknamed “Khun Khao Talufaa” (The sky piercing knee kicker). This nickname was given to him by Muay Thai fans after his victory over Posai Sitboonlert who was also a fabulous kneeling fighter.
In 1981, Dieselnoi won the Lumpinee stadium belt in 135 lbs against Kaopong Sitichuchai.
In 1982, Dieselnoi won the Muay Thai World Champion belt in 135 lbs against Japanese Shinobu Onuki.
Dieselnoi received the prestigious “Best Boxer of the Year” award in 1982, a trophy donated by “The Sport Writers Association of Thailand”!
Dieselnoi carried out 68 fights for 56 victories, 11 defeats and 1 draw.
In 1976, at the age of 15 years, Dieselnoi fought for the first time in the Radja stadium of Bangkok where he beat Fanoy Saksaendee. Dieselnoi won all his fights in 1976 in the 100 lbs category. He fought in the stadium of Samrong and in the stadium of Radja, he notably beat Pennoi Sakornpitak (2 times), Dechai Koyrungruaang and Supernoi Kiatchainarong.
Dieselnoi fought for the promoters of Radja M. Gong Hei Li Thavornchai and the famous ” Chae Thaeng ” Niwat Laosuwanwat (Promoter of the legendary world Boxing champion Khaosai Galaxy).
In 1977, Dieselnoi was still undefeated, he won his eight fights, six fights made in the stadium of Lumpinee, a match in the stadium of Radja and a fight made in the northern region. In the stadium of Lumpinee, he beat Numraman Sitmuhamat, Pichit Kweangmichai, Phansuknoi Kwinchumphae, Noklek Singtanongsak, Daotong Sityodtong, Kingthong Sakornpitak, in Radja stadium, Paruhat Loh Ngern and in the North, Chatchanoi Phasingkamram.
At only 16 years old, Dieselnoi defeated the great champions Daotong Sityodtong (Lumpinee champion in 108 lbs) nicknamed “Ferocious Lion from Rayong” and Paruhat Loh Ngern (Lumpinee champion in 118 lbs) nicknamed “The Bull from Rangsit ”!
In 1978, Dieselnoi gained weight and fought in 126 lbs, then in 130 lbs, he made seven fights in the stadium of Ratchadamnoen and won six, only the legend Vicharnoi Porntawee beat him on points.
At the beginning of 1978, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi beat Saknarongnoi Chor Chutirat (Lumpinee Champion) who in 1977 had beaten all the best of the moment such as Kanchai Porntawee, Inseenoi Luknongkay, Padphon Kietkan, Sakpeemai Reetwibun.
Then, on Monday February 27, he won against Singnum Pethanin (Lumpinee champion, Radja champion) nicknamed “Thab Suea Sing Tha Khoi” (The strike of the singing tiger), one of the first champions to be champion in the two biggest stadiums in Bangkok, Lumpinee and Radja.
On Thursday May 4, Dieselnoi defeated Fahkaew Surakorsrang. Fahkaew had drawn against the legendary Ruengsak Porntawee (Lumpinee champion in 112 lbs and 130 lbs, Radja champion in 112 lbs), a year earlier.
On Wednesday June 21, Dieselnoi won against Radja champion Tawanook Sitpoonchaï.
On July 31, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi had an epic match against Nongkhai Sor Prapason. Nongkhai, who was 24 years old, was nicknamed “Left kicker from Kong river,” a powerful fighter who won the Radja belts in 126 lbs and 130 lbs. Dieselnoi, who was only 17 years old, weighed 128 lbs for 1m88 looked all skinny against the strong Nongkhai. But young Dieselnoi beat this big star of the 70s. Dieselnoi won the best fighter of the night award for his clash with Nongkhai!
On Thursday, October 12, at the Radja stadium, the generation shock expected by all aficionados took place. The young prodigy Dieselnoi (17 years) faces the experienced Vicharnoi Porntawee (31 years). This fight was normally planned in August but several events delayed this confrontation.
First, Vicharnoi had just made a big fight in the south against Narongnoi Keatbandit and he was not ready to face Dieselnoi. Then, Dieselnoi had a car accident on a minibus and had several stitches in his face, so he had to wait for his injury to heal properly. Finally, for this exceptional clash, the champions’ camps agreed on the date of October 12.
Vicharnoi nicknamed «The Immortal» was champion of the Lumpinee in 112 lbs, champion of the Radja in 112 lbs and 130 lbs. Vicharnoi was favorite for this match, by his experience and his spectacular technique, he had beaten the best of his category and had just been elected «Best Boxer of the Year 1977». Vicharnoi was later ranked among the greatest Muay Thai boxers of all time at the «Hall of Fame» alongside Pud Pad Noy Worawoot and Put Laolek (RIP), two other Masters of Muay Thai!
The two fighters had a splendid match and Vicharnoi well neutralized the attacks in knees from Dieselnoi, the former champion beat the young lion of the rings. This was Dieselnoi’s first defeat in Bangkok…
Two months after his match against Vicharnoi, on December 6, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi defeated the great champion Narongnoi Keatbandit (Radja champion in 126 lbs and in 130 lbs) nicknamed “The discreet Tiger”!
On January 17, 1979, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi (18 years old) again met the legendary Vicharnoi Porntawee (31 years old) who had beaten him the year before. Vicharnoi again beat Dieselnoi on points.
On March 1st, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi faced the powerful Padetsuk Pisanurachan. Padetsuk Pisanurachan (Best boxer of the year 1979, N° 1 of the stadium of Radja) was a big hitter who was champion of Radja in Boxing. Padetsuk opened Dieselnoi to the front with a poke during the fourth round of this balanced fight. The wound was not huge but the blood flowed too much on Dieselnoi’s face. The referee decided to stop the fight and Dieselnoi lost the match. The crowd and the punters yelled at the referee and the judges after this decision to stop the match because of a «small» injury…
On Tuesday June 26, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Dieselnoi won a beautiful fight against the terrible Kaosod Sitprapom (Lumpinee champion in 130 lbs).
On August 2, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi met Prawit Sritham. Prawit had just won four consecutive matches, he had beaten champions Raktae, Neuasila, Seksan and Narongnoi, Prawit was in great form. It was one of the toughest fights for Dieselnoi as he ended the match with his right eye completely closed following Prawit’s pokes. Dieselnoi lost on points against this great champion who is one of the few to have beaten “Khun Khao Talufaa”. In his defense, Dieselnoi was not in great form for this fight. Before his confrontation with Prawit, he had a painful skin abscess that he could not treat properly. Just before the match, his coach had given him injections to try to calm the pain…
On October 9, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Dieselnoi (18 years old) again faced a terror of the rings of the moment, the destructive knee Posai Sitboonlert who was 23 years old. Posai had been ranked N° 1 of the stadium of Lumpinee, he had received the trophy of “Best boxer of the year in 1976”, it was a formidable Muay Khao (Strong in knees) which was nicknamed “Electric Pole Knee Striker”, he was like Dieselnoi, a very tall boxer (1m82). Posai had beaten legends Poot Lorlek, Vichit Praianan, Jocky Sitkanpai and Jitti Muangkhonkaen. This battle of the kings of knee kicks was fabulous and it was the young Dieselnoi who took the victory. Dieselnoi was very proud to beat Posai because he was his boxing idol, when he was young, Dieselnoi had a Posai poster in his room!
Moreover, during his fight against Posai, Dieselnoi was sick, he had caught a parasite that tired him. Before his encounter with Posai, his doctor had prescribed medication to get rid of this parasite. The drugs had no effect on Dieselnoi’s infection. He still continued to train hard. Dieselnoi fought and held out by beating Posai to the points. It was only several days after his match that Dieselnoi managed to cure this infectious agent…
In 1980, the young Dieselnoi achieved a great performance by beating the legend of the rings Vicharnoi Porntawee!
The third match between Dieselnoi and Vicharnoi Porntawee took place on Tuesday 22 January 1980 at the Lumpinee stadium. This time, Dieselnoi managed to beat by points « The Immortal »!
On March 5, in the stadium of Ratchadamnoen, Dieselnoi beat again the young Pennoi Sakornpitak (19 years old) nicknamed “Thephabut Muslim” (The Muslim Angel). Pennoi was a superb champion who could never win a belt from a big stadium but who beat the biggest champions such as Tawanook Sitpoonchaï, Raktae Muangsurin, Prawit Sritham, Padetsuk Pisanurachan, Kaopong Sitichuchai, Nongkhai Sor Prapason and Narongnoi Keatbandit .
Dieselnoi and Pennoi have faced each other four times and Dieselnoi has won all four matches!
On April 28, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi made the rematch against Padetsuk Pisanurachan who had beaten him by stoppage on injury. Dieselnoi won a great point victory. Dieselnoi and Padetsuk have faced each other four times with three wins for Dieselnoi and one win for Padetsuk.
On Tuesday July 8, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Dieselnoi met the puncher Kaopong Sitichuchai (Lumpinee champion in 126 lbs) nicknamed “The black cotton”. Kaopong was a formidable puncher who was later a silver medalist in Boxing at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984. Dieselnoi forcing with his destructive knee strikes and in the third round he knocked out Kaopong with a knee strike to the chin!
The rematch between Dieselnoi and Kaopong took place on Friday, September 26, in the stadium of Lumpinee, this time, Dieselnoi lost by KO in the second round against the puncher Kaopong Sitichuchai…
1981 was a big year for “Khun Khao Talufaa” who won the Lumpinee belt and beat big names like Raktae and Pennoi.
The championship of the stadium of Lumpinee in 135 lbs between Dieselnoi and Kaopong Sitichuchai took place on January 9 in the stadium of Lumpinee. The two fighters had already met twice, Dieselnoi had won the first match by KO and the second match, Kaopong had won a victory by KO, the two champions knew each other well and respected each other enormously.
The match was magnificent and Dieselnoi defeated Kaopong on points. Dieselnoi won the Lumpinee title in 135 lbs, a nice revenge for Dieselnoi against Kaopong who had beaten him by KO in the second round, three months before in the stadium of Lumpinee!
On Thursday March 26, in the stadium of Radja, Dieselnoi challenged the defending champion of the stadium of Radja, Raktae Muangsurin. Raktae was Radja champion in 135 lbs and Dieselnoi Lumpinee champion in 135 lbs, the battle of Radja against Lumpinee was going to be fierce.
Raktae was a puncher nicknamed “Ay Mat Narok Tek” (The punch of the infernal earthquake), he had beaten by KO the great champions Jitti Kiatsuriya, Jocky Sitkunpai and Rackchart Sor Prasatporn. The two reigning champions of the two biggest stadiums in Bangkok had a remarkable fight and Dieselnoi beat Raktae on points!
On August 4, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Dieselnoi made his first fight in Boxing against the powerful Saengsakda Kitikasem (Lumpinee champion in 126 lbs in 1985) who knocked him out in the second round.
Saengsakda defeated great champions like Samransak Muangsurin, Wanpadet Pukrongfah, Jiti Kiatsuriya and Paruhat Loh Ngern by KO.
Dieselnoi made only two fights in the rules of Boxing, he lost against Saengsakda and defeated Krapetch Kratungtong on points.
On Friday September 18, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Dieselnoi again beat Pennoi Sakornpitak by points.
1982 was another great year for Dieselnoi as he won a world champion’s belt and defeated one of the greatest Thai boxers of all time, Samart Payakaroon.
On April 28, 1982, a grandiose Muay Thai event was organized on the anniversary of the bicentenary of Rattanakosin, the Chakri Kings (Rama) dynasty which is the current ruling dynasty in Thailand. The Chakri dynasty took over from the Kings of Ayutthaya.
A delegation of Japanese champions was therefore invited to do battle to face a Thai team. Eight WFMA World Champion’s belts were put into play during this prestigious event which took place in the stadium of Ratchadamoen, a stadium which exceptionally welcomed more than 5000 spectators.
Of the eight titles, seven were won by the Thai champions, the eighth belt was won by a Japanese who faced a champion from South Korea.
Samransak Muangsurin won the title in 122 lbs against Japanese Masayuki Yamamoto by defeating him by KO in the second round. Nongkhai Sor Prapasorn won the title in 130 lbs, Khaopong Sittuchai won the title in 147 lbs, David O Sot the title in 153 lbs, and two other Thai champions took the title in 140 lbs and 160 lbs.
Dieselnoi fought for the title of world champion in 135 lbs against the Japanese Shinobu Onuki, the Thai knocked out Shinobu Onuki in the first round with a knee kick to the face!
On December 24, 1982, in the stadium of Radja, a historic match took place (You can see this historic match in a video archive on the website “8limbsus.com”, the website of the champion Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu). The star Samart Payakaroon challenged the Dieselnoi Kneeling King!
This match of the century was organized by the famous promoter of the Lumpinee stadium, Kleo Thanikul (Owner of the Sor Thanikul Gym) in collaboration with the great promoter Songchai Ratanasuban. The promotion of this clash between the two greatest champions of the moment was huge in Bangkok. A week before their clash, two giant photos 10 meters high in the effigy of Dieselnoi and Samart preside in front of the entrance to the Radja stadium.
The main fight was Samart against Dieselnoi but there were also on the program of this fantastic event the matches between Lankrung Kiatkriangkrai and Boonam Sor Jarunee (Victory of Lankrung for the belt of the stadium of Radja in 108 lbs), Samransak Muangsurin against Jomwo Sakniran (Victory by KO of Samransak), Chamophet Ha Phalang against Phanmongkhon Or Mahachai (Victory of Chamophet), Bangkhlanoi Sor Thanikul against Mafeuang Weerapon (Victory of Bangkhlanoi), Jack Kiatniwat against Padetsuk Pitnurachan (Victory of Jack) and a fight in Boxing the legendary Kaosai Galaxy who beat the Japanese Marciano Sekiyama by KO.
Samart was then Lumpinee champion in 126 lbs, a belt he had won against Samingnoom Sitibountham on October 13, 1981. Samart had also won the Lumpinee champion’s belts in 102 lbs, 108 lbs and 115 lbs, he came from to be elected “Best Boxer of the Year 1981” (Samart was voted “Best Boxer of the Year” in 1981, in 1983 and in 1988).
Samart had beaten the stars Mafeuang Weerapon, Paruhatlek Sitchunthong, Bangkhlanoi Sor Thanikul, Chamophet Ha Phalang, Nongkai Sor Prapason, Padetsuk Pitnurachan, he was at the top of his career and given favorite against Dieselnoi.
Samart fought between 126 lbs and 130 lbs and Dieselnoi fought at 135 lbs, Samart was reigning Lumpinee champion in 126 lbs and Dieselnoi was reigning Lumpinee champion in 135 lbs. The fight took place in the 130 lbs category. On the day of the clash, Dieselnoi weighed 129.7 lbs, he had lost a lot of weight for this match and Samart weighed 132 lbs, he had, on the contrary, gained weight. The stadium of Radja was packed, the evening was sold out.
The match was fabulous and very close between these two legends of the rings, the judges gave Dieselnoi the winner on the points of this memorable fight.
The fight between Samart and Dieselnoi was voted “Best fight of the year” in 1982 with the biggest purses of the 80s, 350,000 baht for Samart and 400,000 baht for Dieselnoi. It was the first time in history that boxers in Muay Thai received such large purses!
For more than a year, without an opponent, Dieselnoi did not fight. And on Thursday June 7, 1984, in the stadium of Ratchadamnoen, Dieselnoi met Sakad Petchyindee (Radja champion in 118 lbs and 140 lbs, Lumpinee champion in 135 lbs). Sakad had already beaten many great champions like Kaopong Sitichuchai, Paruhat Loh Ngern, Saksakonsak Channarong, Wangwon Loogmatulee. Sakad was a puncher and a big durable boxer, he made a career in Boxing in parallel with his career in Muay Thai (14 professional fights in Boxing with 12 victories including 9 by KO, WBC Asian Boxing champion). Dieselnoi had a great match and beat on points the durable boxer Sakad!
On 14 July 1984, Dieselnoi went to the United States with a delegation of Thai champions to challenge the American champions of Kick Boxing. There was Rakchat Sor Prasartpon, Kaosod Sitprapom, Bangklanoi Sor Thanikul, Phayanoi Sor Tatsanee, Panpetch Sitprapom, the Thai, in the stadium Olympic Auditorium of Los Angeles, all gained their fight. Dieselnoi met local champion John Moncayo (Full Contact World Champion). The American champion weighed more than 5 kg than the Thai. Dieselnoi beat him by a knockout in the third round after hitting him hard with lightning knee shots during all the rounds of match!
On October 6, in the Isaan region, Dieselnoi found the solid Sakad Petchyindee and beat him again on points!
For seven months, Dieselnoi did not have the opportunity to face a challenger at his level. It was only in August 1985 that he again crossed the ropes of the ring to fight. Dieselnoi met the technician Krongsak Boranrat.
Krongsak nicknamed Nakrop Wat (The warrior of the Temple) was ranked N° 1 of the stadium of Lumpinee and Radja in 135 lbs. Krongsak was one of the best fighters around. He has beaten monuments of Muay Thai like the star Sakad Petchyindee whom he defeated three times, he also beat the legendary Samart Prasanmit three times, twice in points and once by KO, he also won in points against the great champions Jitti Kiatsurya, Payap Premchai, Raktae Muangsurin, Attapong Buaban, Somsong Kiathoranee. Krongsak was a few years later in Europe, six times world champion in Thai boxing and three times world champion in Kick Boxing.
On Thursday August 8, 1985, in the stadium of Ratchadamnoen, Krongsak Boranrat and Dieselnoi carried out one of the most violent fights of the year. After this great fight, the judges gave a draw between these two immense champions. A decision that made most of the punters angry because they saw Krongsak the winner…
Dieselnoi and Krongsak faced each other again on November 12 in the stadium of Lumpinee and Dieselnoi won the match on points!
Dieselnoi stopped his career at 25 years old, without of opponent, his flame of motivation for the fight died out…
Dieselnoi defeated the greatest champions of the 70s and 80s such as Nongkhai Sor Prapason, Vicharnoi Porntawee, Posai Sitboonlert, Sakad Petchyindee, Samart Payakaroon, Krongsak Boranrat, Raktae Muangsurin, Kaosod Sitprapom, Narongnoi Keatbandit, Kaopong Sitichuchai, Tawanook Sitpoonchai, Padetsuk Pisanurachan, Daotong Sityodtong, Paruhat Loh Ngern, Saknarongnoi Chor Chutirat, Singnum Pethanin, Pennoi Sakornpitak, they all bowed to the King of the knees, Dieselnoi will forever remain among the greatest legends in the history of Muay Thai!
After his career, he became a monk for a while. Then, he was a trainer in Japan for several years with his friend the great champion Chamophet who still lives in Japan in Tokyo.
Today, Master Dieselnoi provides his exceptional knowledge in several camps in Bangkok and sometimes in provincial camps or in the Pattaya region!
BY SERGE TREFEU