The Return of the Golden Era

By Frances Watthanaya

On 22 October 2012, 40-year-old former champion fighter Rotnarong made his triumphant return to the big rings of Bangkok, rematched against Kanokrat, who had defeated Rotnarong a few months prior in his home province of Ubon Rachatani.  The fight was set at 170lbs, a large jump from Rotnarong’s 118-pound fighting weight during his prime.  Each fighter put up a 37,000 USD side bet, in addition to the 2,000 USD purse.  Rotnarong’s mother personally put down 2,000 USD on her son; other contributors included friends and family from upcountry, professional gamblers, and locals in the Muay Thai community.

Rotnarong, a former Rajadamnern Champion, was a two-time recipient of the Royal Cup.  The Royal Cup is Thailand’s highest honour for excellence in a field.  Winning it was no easy feat for Rotnarong, especially during the Golden Era.  He was also the first fighter to be awarded it two years in a row.  Additionally, he invented and made famous within Thailand the cartwheel kick, first used against Thailand Pinsinchai at Rajadamnern.  Only later did Saenchai appropriate it in his own fights and make it known to a Western audience.  

Huge changes in Muay Thai have been happening the last couple years, the most exciting of which has been the return of the Golden Era fighters such as Rotarong, who decided to return to the rings solely to show the younger generation how to fight. 

“When the bell rang, we fought.  We fought, fought, fought ’til the end.  Nothing was left in the ring, and we never knew what being tired was.”  — Rotnarong

Muay Thai’s popularity in Thailand has declined steadily over the last decade, a stark contrast to its increasing appeal in the West.  Thais in Thailand’s Muay Thai community generally don’t blame any one thing in particular for the deteriorating state of their national sport, but instead point to a combination of unsteady politics and poor economy, as well as a lack of intensity and focus among the current generation of fighters.  The phenomenon of young fighters taking it easy during the first two rounds of a match, as well as the fifth if ahead, is a commonly cited example.

The Muay Thai community in Thailand complain Muay Thai just isn’t as exciting as it used to be.  Old-timers reminisce about the Golden Era at Lumpini, where stands were so full that death by trampling from an erupting crowd was a real possibility when an underdog pulled an upset.  In contemporary Muay Thai, though, fighters are doing the bare minimum to win, and fans are reflecting the same lack of enthusiasm.  

Only a few notable exceptions to this lacklustre fight culture are stepping in the ring today. Fighters like Pornsanae Sitmonchai and Thepminit Sitmonchai still put their hearts into their fights.  The crowds love them for it.  Unfortunately, they’re famous largely because they’re in the minority.  

Little has been documented in the West about the recent return of the Golden Era fighters.  The Western view of Muay Thai in Thailand is largely distorted due to inaccessibility of the full spectrum of promotions.  What Western audiences see are broadcasts of the best of the best, virtually all from a small monopoly of the richest, most influential promotions.

Rotnarong and Somrak are among the most prominent names from the Golden Era to have returned to the ring.  Despite their fame throughout Thailand, Somrak is fairly well known in the West yet Rotnarong is a virtual unknown.  The recent return of the Golden Era fighters has seen both these legendary athletes take matches not only in top Bangkok stadia but also all over their home region of Issan. Even on smaller shows, Golden Era fighters are commanding side bets of 6,000 USD, more than what a local rice farmer makes in a year.  Promoters are increasingly eager to book Golden Era fighters, though it remains to be seen what effect this will have on Muay Thai’s current generation.