Two good friends of mine are in the sample picture (above). Den Muangsurin (left) kicks Tanongsak Sor Prantale (right). I trained with Den at the Muangsurin Camp during the early 1990's. The Muangsurin Camp was once a very prominent and highly respected camp in Thailand, but it no longer exists. I saw Ajarn Raktae in Bangkok in November 2004, and he was disappointed with the camp no longer running. Adding to my disappointment was one of my favorite trainers, Kru Supoch (Srinarong Muangsurin), passed away in 2001. He trained Den for his winning encounters against Dutch Muay Thai Legend Ramon Dekkers (both under Muay Thai and International Boxing rules).
Tanongsak Sor Prantale came and stayed in Canada for approximately a half year and assisted me with the teaching duties of the athletes at my gym. Strong and talented in the clinch (no surpirse with the fact he was coming from a camp that included Chandet and Rainbow).
Den and Tanongsak tangled twice. In the first encounter Den used hard straight right punches to the body whenever Tanongsak tried to get in and clinch. In the second encounter Den changed his tactics and used very hard low kicks to prevent Tanongsak from entering into a clinch. The low kicks have left tell tale signs on Tanongsak's thigh even this many years later. Den won both encounters but they were exciting and close matches. I respect both men deeply.