Growing up, Nuttadaj ''Boat'' Vachirarattanawong's main playground was the boxing ring at Lumpini Stadium. As the son of Thailand's pre-eminent boxing promoter Virat Vachirarattanawong, he was raised around muay Thai and learned every facet of it, from the strategies of the boxers in the ring to the everyday tasks involved in running and promoting Thailand's national sport.
Picture by Thanarak Khoonton
At 25, Boat, a promoter at Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium, is the youngest person to hold such a post in Thailand's history and his goals are just as ambitious as a rookie fighter looking to call out the champ _ he wants Bangkok to become the boxing capital of Asia.
''In 20 years, I want to see Bangkok become the centre of boxing here just like Las Vegas is in the West. I want to build a 10,000 capacity arena and have only the best events held here,'' he said. ''I know I sound like a dreamer, but, hey, there's nothing wrong with dreaming big if I work my ass off to make it come true.''
Boat's father Virat, better known as Sia Nao, is the main promoter at Lumpini Stadium and was also head of the famous Petch Yindee Boxing Gym until passing the reins on to his son. For Boat to take over promoting duties at Lumpini's chief rival required the agreement of several powerful figures on Thailand's muay Thai circuit.
Lumpini holds the most power on the local fight scene, so Virat's influence in muay Thai is considerable, but he first had to ask his boss's permission for Boat to move to Ratchadamnoen. Once local muay Thai elders agreed, Boat moved, creating an unprecedented alliance between the two rivals and helping to cement the legacy of the Petch Yindee Boxing Gym.
CHAMP CAMP: Top, Boat with his father Virat Vachirarattanawong holding a champion belt. RING ROOTS: Above, a young Boat holds a muay Thai magazine with his hero Somluck Kamsing on the cover. Photos courtesy of Nuttadaj Vachirarattanawong
''My appointment signifies that it's time for a new generation to take over in muay Thai. This sport is in my blood and soul. I'm determined to remain in the business and hope to be an important part of its development,'' he said. ''Being a Ratchadamnoen promoter is a stepping stone for me to organising major international events in the future.''
He will make his debut as a promoter on Thursday with the 10-bout Petch Viset tournament. The two main draws are Singdam Kiat Mu 9 versus Yodwicha Por Boonsit and a rematch between Somluck Tor Thepsuthin (Kamsing) and Jomhod Kiatadisak.
It's a top-ranked tournament featuring star fighters whose appearance fees alone came to 2.1 million baht. The event itself will cost three million baht overall.
Boat has his fingers crossed, hoping for a ''sell-out crowd, so I won't be out of pocket. This is my debut tournament so I want only the best.''
Even if Petch Viset is a major success, Boat says he still faces an uphill battle in modernising muay Thai and reversing its current state of stagnation.
He says the sport doesn't appeal to young people now and has had trouble shedding its image as primarily the domain of gamblers.
''If the muay Thai market remains like this, it will be dead in five years. We currently depend on selling tickets to foreign tourists and old folks who come to bet,'' he said. ''I think my age might help change this image and appeal to a younger crowd.''
However, he said one of the main reasons young people are not drawn to muay Thai is the sport's lack of stars.
''There are no heroes, nobody for the audience to get attached to and admire and cheer for.''
To change this, Boat draws inspiration from the success of the Thai Fight series, with champ Buakaw Banchamek alone selling out tickets and sealing broadcast deals. But he says that the sport needs more than just one star to survive.
''We need many boxers of the likes of Saensak Muangsurin and Somluck Kamsing from the old days,'' he said.
Somluck, the 1996 Olympic gold medallist, will be boxing in Thursday's tournament, a particular thrill for Boat who grew up admiring him and whom he considers a hero. Boat hopes to help develop more boxers like Somluck.
''I want to show I can hone stars. Now we have 20 fighters and are looking for more.''
Boat says that muay Thai doesn't get enough coverage in the media or the respect it deserves as part of the nation's history. ''I think it's our duty to carry on this part of our country's heritage, but we need to take a new approach to ensure its survival.''
Part of Boat's new approach will be to turn boxing events into larger, more entertaining spectacles.
''My future tournaments will feature more light and sound effects to make them more entertaining, while strictly following the rules of the sport. The fights will be real, but the atmosphere more entertaining,'' he said.
Boat plans to incorporate these elements into a tournament scheduled for March, which will also see fighters competing for more prize money. ''The winner [of the main bout] will receive one million baht in prize money and a truck in addition to appearance fees. We have signed sponsors _ Toyota and CP.''
Boat attributes his passion for muay Thai and willingness to work hard to ensure its future to his father's influence. ''My dad paved the way for me. Over his 50 year career, he's been honest, hard-working, accountable and respectable. I follow in his footsteps.''
One of Virat's most influential legacies in the local boxing world was the Petch Yindee Boxing School, now located in Lumpini Stadium, and a training camp on Charan Sanitwong Soi 34. Hundreds of boxers have trained at the camp over the past 30 years.
''I dreamt of running the camp since I was a kid. I was very attached to it and the fighters. They watched me grow up and it is a joy to cheer our fighters to victory,'' he said.
Since taking over for his dad, Boat has taken a different approach from his father's ''old school'' style.
''My camp is open to amateurs, both Thai and foreign. People of this generation want to learn muay Thai for many reasons, such as exercise, and this is not as dull as a gym,'' he said. ''I also asked some of our fighters to train here. It helps the business because our customers, especially foreigners, enjoy working out with pro fighters training alongside them _ superstar boxer 3A Kaiyanghadao-Gym now trains here, which has been a big help.''
Boat says he doesn't have any problems running the academy despite his employees often being older than him. ''My fighters are my family. We are close. On the business side, they are fairly paid according to how they perform because I know they'll go the extra mile if their efforts are rewarded,'' he said. ''If they have any personal problems, they can come and talk to me. If they misbehave, by doing things such as missing a training session, I give them a warning.''
Boat says a love of boxing runs through his veins and his roots in the sport are deep. He recalls being at Virat's side when his father would match fighters up for a card and said that even at a tender age the violent side of the sport did not disturb him. ''I liked the action. I enjoyed watching it since kindergarten. I didn't think it was too violent; it was a way of life for me,'' he said.
SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS: Boat with his muay Thai fighters before a routine training session. Picture by Thanarak Khoonton
However, it wasn't until he moved to Melbourne to attend high school that he gained a deeper appreciation for his national sport.
''There muay Thai is considered a sophisticated martial art. It's quite special over there. When I told the locals that my father was a muay Thai promoter, they were excited,'' he said. ''It was a totally different reaction than in Thailand. When I was asked in school what my father did for a living, they seemed to think he was a mafioso or outlaw. At the time, I thought he probably was but I dared not ask.''
Boat returned home at 17 to enrol at Abac University and took baby steps into the business by learning how his father handled tournaments.
''My heart was ready but I lacked experience, so I started to help my dad in my freshman year. In the meantime, I studied fighters' strategies _ their tricks and how long they could last.''
At 19 he organised his first tournament with Nongbornlek Sitmutu and Nongnaen Kiatpratum in the feature bout. The tournament was a success, bringing in 1.4 million baht in ticket sales.
''To be honest, my father's camp could organise a multimillion baht tournament any day, but I wanted to have a try.''
His family connections, of course, played a major role in the young promoter's initial success. ''I admit people were willing to help me at the time because I was my father's son. People in the business had seen me running around inside the stadium with my father. Media also helped promote my event.''
These days, he says, muay Thai has taken over his life. ''I breathe in and breathe out muay Thai, 24/7,'' he said. ''If I'm not at my boxing camp or planning a tournament, I'll be watching a bout or reading the Muay Siam tabloid.
''When I go online, I check our Facebook fan page. You'd be surprised at how many younger people are clicking 'like' these days. It's a good sign. It's what keeps me going.''
FATHER, SON AND THE FIGHT GAME
VIRAT VACHIRARATTANAWONG (PROMOTER AND OWNER, PETCH YINDEE BOXING GYM)
Why do you trust your son to continue your legacy in boxing?
Because he's talented and grew up with muay Thai. He went everywhere, including our boxing camp and venues both here in Bangkok and in other provinces. When I saw that he had gained a bit of experience, I let him organise a boxing event. He did a great job. I also allowed him to be a commentator, and he received good feedback from audiences and people in the business. That's why I'm confident in him. We also planned the expansion of our boxing camp on Charan Sanitwong 34. That project will cost 50 million baht and I think it's the right time for my son to take over.
Are you afraid that your son will face the same obstacles you did?
No, I'm not, because the competition will be new. Other promoters my age will be retiring soon, and that will leave my son to deal with new promoters in the business. It'll be totally different from my time. He'll master it.
What if your son changes his mind and wants to do something else?
He's only 25. He has plenty of time ahead of him. If he wants to do something else and try something new, it's up to him. It's his life.
THOUGHTS FROM THE RINGSIDE
PETCH CHO VIGO (TRAINER)
How long have you been with the gym?
I've been working as a trainer at Petch Yindee Boxing Gym for 34 years. I worked for Khun Virat for a long time, and I've been helping his son for three years now.
What are your main duties?
I train our fighters. We lay down strict rules for them to follow. What you don't know is a good fighter must be punctual and well-behaved. No matter how talented you are, if you're not disciplined, you won't go very far or last very long in the business. Athletes have quite short careers, especially boxers. You need to look after yourself to maintain your fitness. You don't want to be knocked-out easily, do you?
What's it like to work for Khun Boat?
He's a young boss, but very professional, attentive and meticulous. He's one of a new generation of muay Thai promoters, very hardworking and determined. He takes muay Thai seriously. That's impressive considering his age. And while he's running and learning the business, he also finds time to be close to his boxers and understand their needs and aspirations.
3D PETCHYINDEE-ACADEMY (19-YEAR-OLD LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT TITLE-HOLDER AND BOAT'S FIRST CHAMPION)What's Khun Boat like as a boss?
He's kind, but strict when it comes to training. He's serious about tactics and I must fight as planned. It's a team effort.
I've been at Petch Yindee for two years and improved a lot, with a record of 18 wins against two losses.
What's your signature move?
My left shin kicking.
What did you feel when you first won the belt?
I was so overwhelmed hugging Pi Boat and we both cried with joy. It was a surprise win because I was the underdog. I owe Pi Boat my success.
When will you defend your title?
I don't know yet but I train hard every day for my first defence. I can't wait.
BHAKORN SURAWONGSEE BUNNAG (16-YEAR-OLD TRAINEE)
Why did you take up muay Thai instead of another martial art?
Because it's the coolest, toughest and the most physical demanding. Before I went to study in Singapore, I used to watch muay Thai on TV at weekends. So when I come back home during the school holidays, I train here because it's near my house and quite well-equipped. Besides, I get to see many famous professional muay Thai fighters who come to train here too.
How often do you train?
Three days a week. Now I can do the back-kicking. It's very difficult.
What is muay Thai to you?
It's more than a sport. It's my favourite pastime. Instead of hanging out at the mall, I come here to exercise and learn different moves. I can use it to defend myself if I need to.
