Kleaw Thanikhul () was a Thai ''

Chao pho ''Jao por'' ( Thai: เจ้าพ่อ, “godfather”) is a term used in Thailand to describe the boss of organized crime groups. Meaning of the term ''Chao pho'' or ''jao poh'' literally means “godfather.” Chao pho, mostly based in the p ...

'' (organized crime boss) and a

Muay Thai Muay Thai or Muaythai (, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs or the Science of Eight Limbs, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinch fighting, cl ...

promoter.

Biography

Thanikhul was born on September 13, 1934, in Tambon Don Manora, Amphoe Bang Khonthi,

Samut Songkhram Province Samut Songkhram (, ) is one of the central Provinces of Thailand, provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from the south clockwise) Phetchaburi province, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi province, Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon pr ...

. Thanikhul had a twin who was stillborn; his mother died giving birth. The name "Kleaw" meaning is literally "avoid (from various dangers)" or "being saved". At the age of 7 or 8 his father died and Thanikhul was brought up by relatives. Later, he came to Bangkok to live with his elder sister in Suan Mali neighbourhood where he made a reputation in the outlaw circle. He earned the aliases ''Laow Suan-Mali'' (เหลา สวนมะลิ) and ''Chao pho Nakhon Ban'' (เจ้าพ่อนครบาล, "god father of metropolitan"), with ''Chao pho ber nueng'' (เจ้าพ่อเบอร์หนึ่ง, "No.1 godfather"). He became a Muay Thai promoter and owner the Muay Thai gym "Sor.Thanikhul" (ส.ธนิกุล), there were many famous Muay Thai kickboxers in this stable, including

Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn Charin Sorndee (; born December 27, 1961), known professionally as Dieselnoi Chor.Thanasukarn (), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He was the Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight Champion for four years until he was forced to retire afte ...

, 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'' (มวยสยาม), the first issue was published in September 1986, a popular Muay Thai magazine in that era. In the main event of " Suek Onesongchai" match between

Chamuekpet Hapalang Vichean Bootdee (; born: August 10, 1962), known professionally as Chamuekpet Hapalang (), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter and boxer. He is a former four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion and five-time Rajadamnern Stadium champion ...

vs.

Langsuan Panyuthaphum Pinthong Wongpanya (; born February 1, 1967), known professionally as Langsuan Panyuthaphum (), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a former four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion across three divisions, as well as the 1987 Sport ...

on the evening of March 4, 1988, at

Lumpinee Stadium Lumpinee Boxing Stadium () is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee is run by the Royal Thai Army. It has become the symbol of modern Muay Thai. Only Rajadamnern Stadium riv ...

before the fifth round began Chaiwat "Ngow Haphalung" Phalungwattanakit, a Muay Thai gambler and Hapalang sponsor was shot dead by a lone

hitman Contract killing (also known as murder-for-hire) is a form of murder or assassination in which one party hires another party to kill a targeted person or people. It involves an illegal agreement which includes some form of compensation, moneta ...

. 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.

Murder

Thanikhul survived two attempts on his life, one in 1977 from a grenade thrown outside

Rajadamnern Stadium Rajadamnern Stadium (; ), also spelled ''Ratchadamnoen'', is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Rajadamnern is one of the two main stadiums for modern Muay Thai. It hosts fights every Monday, Wednesday, ...

, and another in 1982 from a grenade thrown inside Lumpinee Stadium. He was assassinated on Pinklao-Nakhon Chai Si Road in the area of Amphoe Sam Phran,

Nakhon Pathom Province Nakhon Pathom (, ,Pronunciation) is one of the central Provinces of Thailand, provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Suphan Buri province, Suphan Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, Ayutthaya ...

in the early evening of April 5, 1991, aged 56 years, along with an associate Mr.Sakulyut Thongsaitharnกองบรรณาธิการมติชน, 289 ข่าวดัง 3 ทศวรรษหนังสือพิมพ์มติชน, 2549, Matichon His killers were never caught.

References

External links

The Rise and Fall Of Muay Thai Godfather Klaew Thanikul (video)
Klaew Thanikhul Klaew Thanikhul Klaew Thanikhul Klaew Thanikhul Klaew Thanikhul 1934 births 1991 deaths Klaew Thanikhul {{Thailand-martialart-bio-stub