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.