ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai returns to action on December 19 at ONE Friday Fights 137, where he looks to reignite his mission for two-sport glory against dangerous Chinese striker Liu Mengyeng in a featherweight kickboxing main event at Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium. The 24-year-old Thai superstar aims to bounce back from his upset loss to Masaaki Noiri for the division’s interim kickboxing belt in March, seeking redemption in the discipline that has proven more challenging to conquer than his dominant Muay Thai reign. But behind every victory, every championship moment, and every setback stands the unwavering figure who has been there since the beginning – his father. The bond between Tawanchai and his dad represents more than just a typical parent-child relationship; it's a story of survival, sacrifice, and the unbreakable support that transformed a poverty-stricken boy into one of combat sports' brightest stars.

A Family’s Tragic Downfall

Tawanchai PK Saenchai once lived a comfortable life as a young child, enjoying the security that comes with financial stability. However, that comfortable existence shattered when his father's business went bankrupt, forcing the family to sell off their assets piece by piece as they watched their world crumble around them. The financial devastation proved too much for his parents' marriage to survive, leading to their divorce when Tawanchai was still a young boy. His father took on the responsibility of raising him alone, facing the daunting challenge of providing for his son while dealing with the aftermath of bankruptcy.

Despite the dire financial circumstances that defined his childhood, Tawanchai looks back with immense pride at his father's relentless efforts to provide whatever he could. The poverty and adversity they endured together didn't break them. Instead, it forged an unbreakable bond and created the hunger that would eventually drive the young fighter to the pinnacle of his sport.

The memories of going hungry, of watching his father struggle, and of understanding the cruel reality of poverty at such a young age became fuel for Tawanchai's fire. He made a vow to himself during those dark days that he would never allow himself or his family to experience that kind of desperation again.

"I have my father as the one and only home to me. He always did his best to raise me the best he could. The poverty and adversity in my childhood are always been my motivation to push myself harder to get a better life and come to this point. Because I promised myself that I will never be starving again," Tawanchai said.

A Father's Instant Support Launched A Legendary Career

Tawanchai's introduction to Muay Thai came through the electrifying atmosphere at Thepprasit Stadium in Pattaya, where he watched elite athletes battle in the squared circle and felt something awaken inside him. The eight-year-old boy saw fighters who looked like heroes, who commanded respect, and who could change their lives through their eight limbs and their courage. When he returned home and told his father about his newfound dream, he received a response that would change everything.

His father, a former Muay Thai competitor himself, didn't hesitate for even a moment. Despite their financial struggles and the uncertainty of their situation, he gave his blessing immediately. More than that, he actively supported his son's ambitions by enrolling him at Petchrungruang Gym near their house and somehow scraping together enough money to buy the essential training equipment his son would need.

That instant, unconditional support represented everything about their relationship. Tawanchai's father could have told him to focus on more practical pursuits. Instead, he chose to believe in his son and invest in that belief, even when they had almost nothing to invest.

"When I decided to learn Muay Thai, I just told my him: 'Daddy, I want to learn Muay Thai.' And without any hesitation or doubts, he just gave me full support. He bought me sandbags, gloves, and other Muay Thai equipment," Tawanchai recalled.

A Dream Realized

Tawanchai PK Saenchai transformed that initial support into one of the most decorated careers in modern Muay Thai history. Over the years, he accumulated an astounding 135 professional victories, systematically dismantling opponents and establishing himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport. The accolades followed his performances – in 2018, he earned both the prestigious Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year and Lumpinee Stadium Fighter of the Year awards, cementing his status among Thailand's elite.

But the crowning moment arrived in 2022 when Tawanchai captured the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship, fulfilling the promise he made to himself as a hungry child watching his father struggle. That gold belt represented vindication for every sacrifice, validation for every painful training session, and justification for his father's unwavering belief when logic suggested otherwise. The boy who once wondered where his next meal would come from had conquered the world's largest martial arts organization.

Now, as Tawanchai pursues two-sport glory with his kickboxing campaign, his father remains exactly where he's always been – by his side. The path from poverty to glory wasn't walked alone, but rather it was walked together, father and son, building something extraordinary from nothing.

"He is the one who wakes me up to run every morning. He always runs after me when I go for a run in the morning and evening. I can say he is the one who is always by my side. He is a huge part of my career success. Back when I first decided to fight in Bangkok stadiums, my dad told me, 'It's time for you to chase your own dream. Just do your best,'" Tawanchai said.