Klaew Thanikhul
Kleaw Thanikhul was a Thai Chao pho and a Muay Thai promoter.
Biography
Early life
Thanikhul was born on September 13, 1934 in Tambon Don Manora, Amphoe Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram Province. Thanikhul had a twin who was stillborn; his mother died giving birth. The meaning of the name "Kleaw" is literally "avoid " or "being saved".His father died when Thanikul was 7 or 8 years old, and Thanikhul was brought up by relatives.
Career
Later, he came to the Suan Mali neighborhood of Bangkok to live with his elder sister, where he made a reputation in the outlaw circle. He earned the aliases Laow Suan-Mali and Chao pho Nakhon Ban, with Chao pho ber nueng. He became a Muay Thai promoter and owner of the Muay Thai gym "Sor.Thanikhul". There were many famous Muay Thai kickboxers in this stable, including Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn, Inseenoi Sor.Thanikul, Bangkhlanoi Sor.Thanikul, Lom-Isan Sor.Thanikul, Sombat Sor.Thanikhul and Boonlai Sor.Thanikul. He was also the president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand, and considered as the most influential figure in Thai boxing cycle in the 1980s.Thanikhul was photographed on the cover of the magazine Muay Siam, a popular Muay Thai magazine of the era. The first issue was published in September 1986.
In the main event of "Suek Onesongchai" match between Chamuekpet Hapalang vs. Langsuan Panyuthaphum on the evening of March 4, 1988, at Lumpinee Stadium before the fifth round began Chaiwat "Ngow Haphalung" Phalungwattanakit, a Muay Thai gambler and Hapalang sponsor was shot dead by a lone hitman. No one knew for sure who did it, but everyone suspected that Klaew Thanikhul was the enforcer. At that time, if Thanikhul was the No.1 influential figure in Thai boxing cycle, Phalangwattanakit was considered No.2.