Thongchai Tor.Silachai (ธงชัย ต.ศิลาชัย) is a retired Thai Muay Thai fighter. He is a former four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion and is the only fighter to have ever knocked out Muay Thai legend Saenchai.
Biography and career
Thongchai was born in Chakkarat, Nakhon Ratchasima. He started fighting at the age of 10.
He trained at the famous Tor.Silachai gym for his entire career, under the great Medprik Tor.Silachai, a former Lumpinee Stadium Champion in the 1960s, and owner of the gym.
Thongchai fought under legendary promoter Songchai Rattanasuban's OneSongchai promotion for his entire stadium career, totaling well over 20 years. At the peak of his career, he had a purse of ฿180,000 baht.
In 1998, he received his first Fighter of the Year award from the Sports Authority of Thailand. In 2001, Thongchai had gone 10-2, with notable wins over Bovy Sor.Udomson, Pornsanae Sitmonchai, Klairung Sor.Sasiprapa, and Sayannoi Kiatprapat. As such, Thongchai won both the Sports Authority and Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year award. He was 30 years old when he received this award, making him the oldest recipient in the award's history.
Throughout the course of his long career, he has fought many great champions such as Saenchai, Anuwat Kaewsamrit, Samson Isaan, Amnat Ruenroeng, Bovy Sor.Udomson, Pornsanae Sitmonchai, Kaolan Kaovichit, Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn, Panomrunglek Kiatmuu9, Orono Wor.Petchpun, Pakorn Sakyothin, Nungubon Sitlerchai, Wuttidet Lukprabat, Therdkiat Sitthepitak, Pairojnoi Sor Siamchai, Tukatatong Por.Pongsawang, Toto Por.Pongsawang, Kompayak Singmanee, Puja Sor.Suwanee, Nuengsiam Fairtex and more.
Titles and accomplishments
Muay Thai
Lumpinee Stadium
1990 Lumpinee Stadium 105 lbs Champion
1991 Lumpinee Stadium 108 lbs Champion
1993 Lumpinee Stadium 112 lbs Champion (defended twice) 1997 Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs Champion Rajadamnern Stadium 2001 Rajadamnern Stadium 115 lbs Champion (defended once) World Muay Thai Council 2001 WMC World 115 lbs Champion (defended once)