SAMART PAYAK-ARUN

By Kat Prayukvong

Why did you become a Muay Thai fighter? What was your original inspiration?

            Actually, I didn’t really like Muay Thai at first, but all of my family was very enthusiastic about it! My elder brother, Gongtoranee, started a very, very simple Muay Thai camp at home, just for the family and local children to practice in the evenings. Of course, I watched what was going on, tried on the gloves, and had a go at training. I can’t really say when or how but I ended up liking it too!

Where were you born and when did you start boxing?

            In Chachurngsao [along Thailand’s eastern seaboard]. I started training when I was 9 and had my first fight after just one month! In the rural areas of Thailand, temple fairs are popular and Muay Thai contests are always held there. That was my debut. 

How did you feel at that time?

            Well, I was both impressed and nervous. I’d never fought in public before and we were the first to fight, so we had to stand in the ring for the King’s Anthem. It was the Cool Season too, so that made me shake even more!             Anyway, I won… and I got paid 60 Baht for that first bout! It was the first time I’d ever earned any money. I spent some of it right away to buy candies for my little brother and sister at home…I’m number 6 in a family of 8. I kept the rest…but I gradually spent it in time!

So the reason you continued fighting is because you were stuck on it?

            No, not at all! But I wanted to improve my standard of living. At home, we had no piped water or electricity, and I dreamed of a more comfortable way of life. I knew that if I decided to become a Muay Thai fighter, I could go and live with Gongtoranee in Pattaya, and that really appealed to me. So at the age of 10, off I went to the city! My schooling stopped when I went to Pattaya, but I don’t regret it: I have got experience in life instead of a bachelor’s degree.

 Did you get to know Khru Dhui then?

            No, not until later. I trained and fought for two years in Pattaya, then my brother went to live in Bangkok. I wanted to go too but he wouldn’t let me. Of course, I went anyway but I got sent to work in a factory elsewhere. That meant I had to stop training, and then I really felt that something was missing in my life. So, I went back to Bangkok. My brother wasn’t having all that much success fighting in and around Bangkok and had earned precious little money. So we returned Pattaya. I was about 14 then. And it was then that I met Khru Dhui who was building a camp there. I lived and trained with him after that.

When you lived in the camp were you happy? Did you have any problems?

            No, only happiness…but I was sometimes reluctant to train…to get up early in the morning and go running.

What about your diet in the camp?

            Our housemother prepared the same meals for everybody. Before a fight, we had to control our weight, eating more or less than usual according to weight division in which we were down to fight. For breakfast, honey, milk, boiled egg has always been a boxer’s standard fare. Some people believed bird’s-nest soup was good for them! However, nowadays, there are many other options available. Sleep was important too. Not enough sleep was disastrous!  Eight or ten hours was the norm. Going to bed early made getting up early easy. We’d feel bright and alert. But going to bed late…oh dear…it was terrible to have to get up and train early then!

Did you have a Muay Thai idol?

            Yes, several in fact. Saen Noi, Hard Noi, Nong Khai. They were my childhood idols. When I grew up I actually fought Nong Khai, and won. Half of me was supporting him! When I beat fighters like that…well…it made me think that I must be quite good!

Did one particular fight mark a turning point in your life?

            Early on I started to make a name for myself, even when I was fighting as a child, everyone accepted me. I started to become really well known when I weighed about 25 - 30 kilograms.

How did you used to practice before a bout?

            I used to do special training for about 3 weeks before a fight. In the past, we didn’t go out and about before a fight. We would save ourselves and practice.

You are well known for your “good eye-sight” in the ring. They say in the past, boxers used to suspend a lime and splash water to train their vision.  Did you ever do anything special to improve your sight?

            No, not at all…just the same as everyone else. All boxers have the same eyesight. What distinguishes them is their way of thinking, their ability to “read” a fight as it unfolds. But I believe that splashing water to prevent blinking is useful and that meditation also helps to strengthen vision. Both these methods help to strengthen one’s resolve and determination.

Did you have a foolproof weapon, which was almost certain to knockout, your opponent?

            I was well known for my foot-thrusts. Teeb   Ramkarn, Teeb Juk, Teeb Nok. In Western boxing, I also threw a powerful punch.

How did you used to prepare for a fight?

            Well, of course, we had to train harder and take care of our health. We had to control our intake of food too, losing weight if necessary, and so on.

 What was the most tiring part of training?

            Everything was tiring…it was always the same. It all depended on whether you put all your heart and soul into it or not. If you were afraid of being tired, then you would hold back…

To what do you attribute your success? Did you have a personal motto?

            No, I didn’t. But when I fought, I always did my best. You never know if you’re going to win or lose when you go into the ring, but you must always do your utmost. Winning or losing depends on a combination of chance, your state of readiness and not being careless.

Did you have any amulets? (For being lucky)

            Well, just tattoos and Buddha images…but I was never devout. Other things like paa prajied  I had to have, of course, but again they were just traditional items for me. I like tattoos for their detail and beauty.

You had a ring name also, didn’t you? Petchakard Naryok [The Jade-Faced Hangman].

            I acquired this name in the Western boxing ring. For Muay Thai, I had other names: Singh Samarng [Cosmetic Lion] and Suparb-burut [The Gentleman].

Do Muay Thai fighters have an advantage when they step into the Western boxing ring?

            Yes and no. Muay Thai fighters have tough bones, but lack the basic boxing skills. The basics of Muay Thai and boxing are different.

Is it better to train in boxing first and then start Muay Thai?

            No, that’s not a good idea. Boxers can’t kick! Almost always people start with Muay Thai and then turn to boxing. Khaosai [Galaxy] started with Muay Thai, but he wasn’t well known because he was Muay mud [a fist fighter] not Muay dhe [a kick fighter]. He only became famous after he turned to boxing.

Did you ever do any other martial arts?

            Well, no. For me, Muay Thai encompassed everything. I like football, but I’ve never trained. I just like kicking a ball around with my friends for 10 minutes or so….

Weighing everything up, do you feel satisfied with what you’ve gained from Muay Thai?

            For me, it has all been worthwhile. If I had to choose again between Muay Thai and an education, I’d still choose Muay…it was the right choice for me. What I have today is enough. If I hadn’t given my life to Muay, I don’t know if I could have arrived at this same stage or not. If  Somrak [Kamsing] and Wijarn [Polarit] hadn’t been boxers, would they be what they are today? I think not. It’s been my Fate to travel along this road. It’s like the university of life. It’s bigger than other universities because everyone comes from different backgrounds but they have to eat, sleep and do everything together. Not just for a couple of weeks but for 10 years. The camp master has to see to it that everyone gets along well, with no quarrels or troubles. It is so difficult when so many individuals are involved. Muay Thai helps us to endure, to accept others. Some people graduate from university but still haven’t got the key to getting along in society.

When did you have your last fights?

            In 1988…Western boxing first and then Muay Thai.

In addition to being a movie star and a singer what else do you do these days?

            That’s quite enough! I don’t have time for myself as it is!

Are you a family man?

            Yes, I’ve got three kids. My eldest boy is 12. He’s training in Muay Thai and his ring name is Champ. My second son, Mai, is 9 and Miam is my little daughter. She’s 7. My wife’s name is Jamleng.