Lamp Sakkapoom
"Muay Chaiya doesn't belong solely to me; I am simply a guardian of its heritage. What I've shared isn't mine but a treasure of our nation, meant to be passed down to you. Take it as your own. The knowledge you've received today is now part of who you are" - Lamp Sakkapoom
Lamp Sakkapoom, also known as Kru Lamp, is a respected Thai martial artist with extensive experience in Muay Chaiya and Daab Chao Ram. Muay Chaiya is a traditional form of Muay Boran from Surat Thani, while Daab Chao Ram belongs to the Krabi Krabong sword-fighting system. He was a student of the renowned Muay Chaiya master Thonglor Yalae and a member of the Ramkhamhaeng Thai Weaponry Club. Lamp Sakkapoom has spent over 30 years promoting these martial arts both in Thailand and internationally. His dedication extends to charitable activities through Young ThaiAchira, a program encouraging youth participation in traditional Thai martial arts. He is also a co-author of the Muay Chaiya Manuscript alongside Kru Dam (Thanawut Ketsaro) and Kru Pong (Chan Ditkrajan).
Born in April 1963 in Khon Kaen, Thailand, Lamp Sakkapoom attended Huakhiew Wittayalai School and Suansanuk Municipal School during his early education. He later continued at Sanambin School and graduated from Kaennakhonwitthayalai School for high school. In 1982, he moved to Bangkok to further his education at Ramkhamhaeng University. There, he joined the Thai Weaponry Club and began training in Daab Chao Ram, learning from experienced instructors like pUan, pTong, pKlui, and Manoj Bunyamad.
A year later, Lamp Sakkapoom started studying Muay Chaiya under the guidance of Thonglor Yalae, who sometimes took him to train with Khetr Sriyabhai, one of Thonglor's own mentors. This period marked the beginning of Lamp's deep involvement with traditional Thai martial arts, a passion that would define his career for decades.
In 2002, he was invited as a special martial arts instructor at Chulalongkorn University's Thai Weapons Self-Defense Club. During the same period, from 2002 to 2009, he served as Vice-President of the SiamYuth Study Center "Baan Kru Praeng" and Secretary of the Muay Thai Chaiya Foundation. He would regularly taught and demonstrated Muay Chaiya and Thai swordsmanship, participating in events hosted by both government and private organizations. His contributions also extended to television appearances showcasing these ancient martial arts. However, his involvement with SiamYuth Study Center ended due to internal disputes within the group.
On August 1, 2010, Lamp Sakkapoom established ThaiAchira Krabi Krabong Muay Boran to further promote and teach traditional Thai martial arts. His efforts led him to travel and share his expertise in the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and Austria. ThaiAchira became known for its practitioners' effective use of knee and elbow strikes, emphasizing traditional techniques that maintain the art’s authenticity.
Through the Young ThaiAchira initiative, Lamp Sakkapoom encourages youth to learn Krabi Krabong and Muay Chaiya, helping them avoid negative influences and harmful behaviors. His charitable work includes promoting Thai cultural values and arts among children in rural communities. He has donated educational and sports materials to remote schools, built rainwater storage jars for educational facilities, and led groups to construct cement Buddha statues at temples. His collaboration with the Surat Thani community has also helped revive and teach Muay Chaiya to local youth, contributing to its recognition as a cultural and tourist attraction in the region.
From 2015 to 2024, Lamp Sakkapoom served as a special Muay Thai instructor at the Sam Phran Royal Police Cadet Academy, where he further promoted the techniques of Daab Chao Ram and Muay Chaiya.
In 2023, in memory of his teacher Thonglor Yalae, Lamp Sakkapoom co-founded "Baan Chaiyarat" with Thonglor’s daughter, Khun Ying Yalae, on the Yalae family's land. The school became a place where students could continue learning Muay Chaiya and Daab Chao Ram, with Lamp Sakkapoom as the senior instructor.
In 2024, his contributions were further recognized when he was appointed as a committee member of the Krabi Krabong Sports Association. Through his tireless efforts, Lamp Sakkapoom has played a vital role in preserving, teaching, and promoting traditional Thai martial arts at both national and international levels.
Lamp Sakkapoom's lifelong dedication to traditional Thai martial arts has made him a prominent figure in preserving and promoting these cultural treasures. His work in Muay Chaiya and Daab Chao Ram has reached global audiences while nurturing a new generation of practitioners. Beyond teaching, his charitable efforts have contributed significantly to rural communities and youth development. Through his passion and leadership, Kru Lamp continues to uphold and expand the legacy of Thai martial arts both in Thailand and abroad.
---
Through the insights of Lamp Sakkapoom, co-author of the Muay Chaiya Manuscript, delve into the ancient practices of Muay Boran and Muay Chaiya, uncovering approaches that transcend the boundaries of Muay Thai.
For Muay Chaiya lesson, contact:
https://web.facebook.com/Thaiachira01
https://www.instagram.com/lamp_sakkapoom/
Muay Chaiya Manuscript, Amazon Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/Muay-Chaiya-Manuscript-Sakkapoom-Chuthaphongtham-ebook/dp/B0D5RM4P2H
About the Creator
JRV
"Martial arts enthusiast | Advocate for Muay Chaiya 🇹🇭 | Connecting with martial artists worldwide!"
Frozen Ground
Silence meant the guns were cooling. It meant men were waiting. It meant something was about to break. We were dug in along a frozen stretch of road near the Imjin River, the kind of place that didn’t look important until history decided otherwise. The cold wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was personal. It crept into your boots, your bones, your thoughts. At night, I dreamed of heat: radiators, kitchens, the smell of coffee. I woke up with frost on my helmet.
By Gaofeng Wang5 days ago in History
Comments (1)
Lamp Sakkapoom seemed very cool and awesome! Great work!