Birth Date: | 1946 3, mf=yes |
Birth Name: | Songchai Rattanasuban |
Spouse: | Saowanee Rattanasuban (née Tangkongpanich) |
Children: | Pattaraporn Rattanasuban (daughter) Sirapob Rattanasuban (son) Pariyakorn "Oh" Ratanasuban (daughter) |
Occupation: | Muay Thai and Professional boxing manager and promoter |
Education: | Ramkhamhaeng University |
Alma Mater: | Benchamaracharungsarit School Chachoengsao Vocational College |
Relations: | Sakda Rattanasuban (older brother) Pariyakorn Ratanasuban (daughter) |
Years Active: | 1965–present |
Songchai Rattanasuban (Thai: ทรงชัย รัตนสุบรรณ; born: March 5, 1946 in Chachoengsao province) is a famous Thai Muay Thai and professional boxing promoter. He is well known for being a promoter of the fight dubbed "Suek Onesongchai" (ศึกวันทรงชัย; lit: "Songchai Day Battle") of Lumpinee Stadium especially in the 80's and 90's that have been recognized as the golden era of Muay Thai. He is the founder and CEO of Onesongchai Promotion, a Muay Thai and professional boxing promotion company based in Bangkok.
He was born in Thai Chinese family at the Amphoe Mueang Chachoengsao, Chachoengsao province by the Bang Pakong River. He likes Muay Thai since childhood. He used to Mauy Thai along with his brother. He also competed at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok but it appears that his record 22 times lose more than win.
Songchai started as a promoter in 1965, when he was only 18 years old, starting at his native. Which he held every month for 4 years until his reputation became known. In 1974, he became an assistant promoter at the Lumpinee Stadium until 1975, so he was appointed as a regular promoter.
In the 80's and 90's, he organized many fights and Muay Thai began to spread internationally until is known by all. There are many fighters under his promoted, such as Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn, Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Samart Payakaroon, Samransak Muangsurin, Langsuan Panyuthaphum, Chamuekpet Hapalang, Karuhat Sor.Supawan, Cherry Sor Wanich, Namphon Nongkeepahuyuth, Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth, Dedduang Por Pongsawang, Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang, Toto Por Pongsawang, Jareonthong Kiatbanchong, Nungubon Sitlerchai, Kaensak Sor.Ploenjit, etc. He is also the initiator organized of foreign fighters against Thai fighters, such as Rob Kaman, or Ramon Dekkers.
In 1989, he made an important event when he was able to collect entrance fees for the fight between Pongsiri "Rambo" Por Ruamrudee vs. Pairojnoi "Bloody Steel" Sor Siamchai at the Lumpinee Stadium, which amounted to 3.2 million baht, the highest in history.[1]
For the professional boxing he is also the promoter and manager of many famous boxers, and some of them to the level of the world champions, include Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Samart Payakaroon, Muangchai Kittikasem, Pichit Sitbangprachan, Saen Sor Ploenchit, Daorung Chuvatana, Yokthai Sithoar, Pichitnoi Sitbangprachan, Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai, Yoddamrong Sithyodthong, Pungluang Sor Singyu, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym, etc.
In 2001, he moved himself to be a regular promoter at Rajadamnern Stadium.[2] [3] [4]
Songchai graduated junior high school from Benchamaracharungsarit School. Then graduated from vocational education from Chachoengsao Vocational College and graduated with a master's degree in Social Work from Ramkhamhaeng University in 1995.
He married Saowanee Rattanasuban (née Tangkongpanich). There are three children, Pattaraporn Rattanasuban, Sirapob Rattanasuban, Pariyakorn "Oh" Ratanasuban. Today, his last daughter, Pariyakorn is his major assistant.[5]