THE SOR SAPHAN SUNG GYM, A COMMITTED BOXING CAMP OFFERING FREE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN!
THE SOR SAPHAN SUNG GYM, A COMMITTED BOXING CAMP OFFERING FREE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN!
by Serge TREFEU (2025)
Sor Saphan Sung Gym is owned by Mr. Yidawut Phueaknoi. This small boxing camp, founded in 2021, is located in the Saphan Sung district, on the northeastern outskirts of Bangkok.
Before creating his own camp, Yidawut was a longtime trainer at Bangkok’s legendary Sor Ploenchit camp, a true institution in the world of Muay Thai. During the 1980s and 1990s, the Sor Ploenchit Gym was a champion factory, producing true ring legends such as:
- Warunee Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Champion),
- Makan Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee Champion),
- Kaensak Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Champion, voted Boxer of the Year in 1989 and 1990),
- Dejrit Sor Ploenchit (Rajadamnern Champion),
- Rittidej Sor Ploenchit (Rajadamnern Champion),
- Meechok Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee Champion),
- Hantalae Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee Champion),
- Suriya Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee Champion),
- Rungrawee Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee Champion),
- Manasak Sor Ploenchit (Rajadamnern Champion),
- Saengmorakot Sor Ploenchit (Omnoi Champion),
- Khem Sor Ploenchit (Rajadamnern and Thailand Champion),
- Saen Sor Ploenchit (WBA World Boxing Champion)
Weenay Phueaknoi, better known as Khru Wee, is the son of Mr. Yidawut Phueaknoi. A veteran of the famous Sor Ploenchit Gym, he holds the role of head coach at Sor Saphan Sung Gym, perpetuating with rigor and humility the teachings he received.
And the future is already assured. Khru Wee has in turn passed on his knowledge to his own son, who now fights under the name Phetsuriya Sor Saphan Sung.
In 2024, at just 15 years old, the young Phetsuriya won the -68 kg belt at the Nakhon Pathom tournament.
The Sor Saphan Sung Gym is a modest camp, both in size and revenue. It hosts about ten boxers, including three young female fighters and a young Burmese male boxer.
The Saphan Sung neighborhood, where the camp is located, is home to several families originally from Burma. Muay Thai resembles its cousin, “bama lethwei,” the traditional Burmese martial art.
Daily training is supervised by Khru Wee, but is sometimes reinforced by the involvement of other experienced coaches, such as Khru Nay, Khru Rone, or Khru Baykone. The majority of participants are children and teenagers, with the oldest being no older than 18 years.
The Sor Saphan Sung Gym also collaborates with a larger camp in the same neighborhood: “Sor Saengmanee – Muay Thai Saphan Sung.” Before founding his own gym, Yidawut Phueaknoi taught classes there.
To support the development of the Sor Saphan Sung Gym and promote sports activities in the district, Ms. Mathuros Bent, municipal councilor and president of the Saphan Sung Cultural Council, granted decisive financial assistance to the boxing camp.
Thanks to his support, the young boxers were able to receive brand new boxing equipment, and most importantly, a large tin roof was built to cover the ring and camp facilities. Until 2024, the camp was open-air, exposed to the vagaries of the climate, particularly the heavy rains of the monsoon season, which sometimes made training impossible.
Today, the camp has gained in comfort, but has retained its family and community spirit. A true place of life and transmission, the Sor Saphan Sung Gym offers free introductory Muay Thai classes to local children.
The goal is clear: to provide a structured environment, to instill values such as respect, discipline, and perseverance—and, above all, to keep young people away from the dangers of the streets and drugs.
Every weekend, the camp comes alive with laughter, shouts, and punching bags and pads. Dozens of children come to discover the joys of training, surrounded by passionate, caring coaches deeply invested in the future of these young apprentices.
