THE KIATCHUTHAI GYM, A RURAL BOXING CAMP, CRUCIBLE OF CHAMPIONS IN THE HEART OF ISAAN!
THE KIATCHUTHAI GYM, A RURAL BOXING CAMP, CRUCIBLE OF CHAMPIONS IN THE HEART OF ISAAN!
by Serge TREFEU (2025)
Kiatchuthai Gym is a small boxing camp located almost entirely in the countryside, in the Pathum district, about 7 kilometers from downtown Ubon Ratchathani.
Ubon Ratchathani, often referred to simply as “Ubon,” is the capital of Ubon Ratchathani Province, in southern Isaan, a region in northeastern Thailand. It is the easternmost province of the Isaan region, bordering Laos to the east and Cambodia to the south.
Kiatchuthai Gym was founded by Mr. Somthai Tinpat, a Muay Thai enthusiast whose life is closely linked to this martial art.
A former boxer himself, Mr. Somthai Tinpat has dedicated his life to training young people from the Ubon countryside.
Thanks to his commitment, many of them have become formidable fighters, reaching the top of Bangkok’s largest stadiums.
Mr. Somthai Tinpat is also a potter and ceramist. For over thirty years, he has been crafting traditional Isaan pottery in his workshop, perpetuating the region’s unique expertise. His small business continues to supply a large part of northeastern Thailand today.
The pottery factory operates non-stop, all day long, in the heart of the Kiatchuthai Gym.
When it’s in operation, the large kiln belches out thick smoke that escapes through the long brick chimney, gradually enveloping the entire boxing camp.
The ring and punching bags then disappear into a dense fog. Yet, the boxers continue their training as if nothing were happening. Unperturbed, focused. They are accustomed to these unusual conditions…
With his son, Somthai Tinpat raises fighting cocks. Their breeding is substantial: nearly a hundred cocks are carefully guarded within the boxing camp itself.
Under Somthai Tinpat’s leadership, many rural boxers have become top-level fighters, some even reaching the largest stadiums in Bangkok.
The Kiatchuthai Gym also maintains close ties with the Petchpetch Academy camp, located about ten kilometers away. Boxers from both camps are used to training together, creating a dynamic of exchange and mutual progress that further strengthens the fighters’ skills.
One of the very first champions trained by Khru Somthai Tinpat was none other than his own son, Bakjoe Kiatchuthai. Now the camp’s chief manager, Bakjoe epitomizes the success of his family’s training. A formidable boxer, he fought nearly 200 fights during his career. Although he fought most of his matches in the provinces, Bakjoe also shone in the rings of Bangkok.
He notably faced several big names in Muay Thai: victory against Kongfah Udonmuang, honorable defeats against Singmanee Sor Srisompong and Samranchai 96 Peenang.
Bakjoe captured the Lumpinee Stadium 140 lbs belt, one of the most coveted titles in the country. And on September 3, 2010, at Lumpinee Stadium, Bakjoe defeated the renowned Iquezang Kor Rungthanakeat (Omnoi Champion) to claim the title of Thai Champion in the 140 lbs!
Among the most notable champions trained by Khru Somthai Tinpat is ring star Tuanpae Kiattikhomsing. Spotted at a young age, Tuanpae later joined the renowned Sor Sommai camp in Bangkok, where he fought under the name Tuanpae Sor Sommai.
In 2014, Tuanpae captured the TV7 stadium title in the 130 lbs category after a remarkable victory against Singpayak Mor Rattanabat. Five years later, in 2019, he won the Rajadamnern stadium belt, this time in the 147 lbs category.
After a successful career in the ring, Tuanpae returned to his native Ubon Ratchathani province.
He founded his own boxing camp, becoming a renowned trainer in his own right. Like Khru Somthai, he also started breeding fighting cocks and is now one of the region’s leading breeders.
The other star who made his debut at the Kiatchuthai Gym is Lorngern Dabransarakam. In his early days, he fought under the original name “James Bond Kiatchuthai.”
After his time at the Dabransarakam camp in Maha Sarakham province, Lorngern joined the Sor Sommai camp in Bangkok.
In 2017, he distinguished himself by winning one of the most renowned Muay Thai tournaments: the Tiger Cement Tournament, organized by the promoters of the TV7 stadium.
On September 24, 2017, in the legendary Lumpinee Stadium arena, he defeated Samsingh Por Phinnapat in the final, becoming the 17th Tiger Cement Tournament champion in the 120 lbs category!
After a short hiatus in his career, Lorngern made a remarkable comeback to Bangkok’s elite circuit. Today, he has taken another step forward by joining ONE Championship, the biggest combat sports organization in the world.
The fabulous Phayak Isaan Sit Ubon is one of the big names trained by Khru Somthai Tinpat. This outstanding fighter marked his era by facing the biggest stars of Muay Thai in the 2010s, including Seksan Or Kwanmuang, Manasak Pinsinchai, Rungrat Naratrikul, Phalangnum Laemthong, Muangsi Phumphunmuang, Phet Eak Luk Bok, Densarakham Por Chetchai, Orono Eminent Air, Thongsuk Singpatong, Sukkasem Kiatyongyut and Denwattho Sor Sommai.
On October 10, 2010, Phayak Isaan had the honor of challenging one of the most formidable fighters of the era, Seksan Or Kwanmuang, at the TV7 stadium. Seksan, holder of the TV7 122 lbs belt, faced Phayak in a titanic fight where the title was on the line. The battle was of rare intensity, with both boxers giving it their all. At the end of this epic duel, the final decision was a draw. Seksan retained his belt, but Phayak Isaan won the hearts of Muay Thai fans, who still remember this epic fight.
One of the latest champions to emerge from the Kiatchuthai Gym, in collaboration with the Petchpetch Academy Gym, is Saenphon Petchpetch Academy.
On November 20, 2021, at Omnoi Stadium, Saenphon defeated Thalethong Sor Thanaphet to win the Thai 154 lbs championship belt.
Today, Saenphon continues to shine in the arena, fighting under the name Saenphon Sor Sommai in the famous RWS circuit at Radja Stadium in Bangkok.
Renowned champion Puja Sor Suwanee (Radja Champion in 2003, Lumpinee Champion in 2000), who trained at the Sor Suwanee camp, a camp in the same region as the Kiatchutchai Gym camp, also frequently came to Kiatchutchai Gym to train when he was still in the Ubon Ratchathani region before moving to Bangkok.
2010s star Satanfaa Eminentair came to the Kiatchuthai Gym in 2020, where he brought his expertise and experience to the camp’s young boxers.
Hailing from Sisaket province, just 80 km from Ubon Ratchathani, Satanfaa has made his mark on Muay Thai history with a breathtaking career.
In 2011, he won the TV7 stadium belt at 118 lbs, after a decisive victory over Wangchannoi Sit Ubon, another prodigy who also trained at the Kiatchuthai Gym. Wangchannoi Sit Ubon was a spectacular fighter, known for his explosive matches in Bangkok’s famous TV7 stadium.
Satanfaa has retained his TV7 title seven times, facing and defeating formidable champions such as Design Rajanon (twice), Sengeng Gilasport, Sorntong Sor Yingjaroengarnchang, Phetmorakot Tedeed99 (Radja Champion, Lumpinee Champion, Thailand Champion), and Chokprecha Kor Sakooncher (Lumpinee Champion). This winning streak is simply exceptional. His fight against Chokprecha in 2013 was voted “Best Fight of the Year” at the TV7 stadium by Muay Thai experts.
As a coach at Kiatchuthai Gym, Satanfaa continued to fight, but age and time took their toll, and he suffered several defeats. However, at 38 years, the veteran fighter hasn’t given up. In May and June 2024, he won his last two fights against young opponents aged 20 and 26, proving once again that the old tiger of the ring still roars…
The Kiatchuthai Gym now has around ten fighters, including the promising 20-year-old Karuhat Kiatchuthai, who is regularly making a name for himself in Bangkok’s stadiums.
But beyond the competitors, the camp remains a gathering place for the local community, with many local children coming to train for leisure, simply to let off steam. This diversity creates a warm, family-friendly atmosphere in this rural camp.
Soccer matches are regularly organized, where boxers and children compete on the clay court located near the camp.
The camp is run by three coaches, but Khru Somthai Tinpat, the camp’s master, occasionally continues to give lessons to the youngsters, passing on his knowledge with the same passion that drove him when he first started as a coach.
The Kiatchuthai Gym, though modest and rustic, remains an authentic camp where budding champions can flourish. In this place, provincial dreams can transform into resounding successes, making its boxers’ names resonate in the legendary stadiums of the Muay Thai capital, Bangkok!
