Boontham Thoykrathoke (born February 8, 1960), known professionally as Raktae Muangsurin (Thai: รักแท้ เมืองสุรินทร์), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a former Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight Champion who was famous during the 1970s and 1980s.
Raktae started training Muay Thai at the age of 14 under Somwang Uttamaphan. During this time, he adopted the ring name of Sianbo Sunkila Ladyai (which translates to "Sianbo Ladyai Sports Center" as they were his sponsor). The Ladyai Sports Center also served as the venue of his first Muay Thai fight when he was 15. He fought in Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, and Mara Sarakham, incurring 30 fights until he was considered a top fighter.[2] During this time, he was a skilled Muay Khao (knee fighter).[3]
At the age of 17, he moved to Bangkok to join the Muangsurin gym in 1977. He would become a Muay Mat fighter like majority of other fighters in the gym. Initially, he adopted the ring name of "Raksak Muangsurin" but fight venue officials incorrectly printed his name as "Raktae".[3] He later officially changed his ring name to Raktae which translates to "true love", in reference to his love for his wife Amornrat Rakwanich, the daughter of the Muangsurin gym owner.[2]
Raktae was one of the most recognizable fighters of the 1980s on the Bangkok circuit with his pressuring punching style which means that he is called a "Muay Mat" in Thai.[4] In particular, his powerful right hand that earned him surprise KO victories resulted in the nickname "Ay Mat Narok Taek" which translates to "The Exploding Hell Puncher".[3] His highest purse was 100,000 baht which was in the range of purses given to the elite Thai fighters during the 1980s.[5] His preferred techniques were punching, elbow usage, and knee fighting.[2]
Raktae also competed in both professional and amateur boxing. He won the now defunct OBA lightweight title and was the runner up at the President's Cup in Indonesia.[2] After taking a hiatus from Muay Thai for several years, he was matched up against "The Rising Star From Australia" John Wayne Parr in his comeback fight. Raktae raised his hand in the 3rd round, retiring from the fight due to Parr's low kicks. Raktae would permanently retire from Muay Thai competition afterwards. His KO victories against Jockey Sitkanpai and Jitti Kiatsuriya were considered his best fights. He was matched up against Komtae Chor. Suan-Anan but they did not fight.[3]
During his several-year hiatus, Raktae became a trainer at the Muangsurin gym where he was viewed as the gym's headman. He would become the trainer other elite pressure fighters such as Muay Mat fighter Pornsak Muangsurin or the well-rounded Muay Bouk fighter Den Muangsurin. He worked as a trainer in the Muangsurin gym for seven years before he and Amornrat decided to close down the camp.[3]Canadian former fighter Mike Miles recalls that while he was training in the Muangsurin gym in 1992, Raktae and Amornrat welcomed him and treated him with hospitality.[2]
Later on in his life, Raktae opened a spare auto parts shop in his new hometown of Khlong Sam Wa district in Bangkok.[5] In his house located in the middle of a foliage-filled field, he has twin daughters by the names of Alisa and Ariya and a youngest son named Rondol. He travels regularly and attends gatherings with former Muay Thai fighters.[3]
