A former Muay Thai champion known for throwing aggressive left punches and kicks died Wednesday in Kalasin province after he suffered complications from a bite thought to have come from a centipede.
Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang, 52, died at Kalasin Hospital of severe blood infection, according to hospital director Pramuan Thaingamsilp days after his daughter said he was bitten by a giant Thai centipede, or takhap.
Dokmaipa’s daughter Jiraporn Moonkaset told reporters that her father was bitten on his left leg. He didn’t seek medical treatment for the wound until he fell seriously ill, with chills and dizziness progressing into a full coma.
Pramuan said Dokmaipa had diabetes, causing more complications and contributing to his death.
Born Jamnien Moonkaset into a Muay Thai family in Roi Et province, Dokmaipa became a Muay Thai boxer when he was 9. A rare left-sided fighter with particularly strong left punches and kicks, he won six matches at the Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen boxing stadiums, earning the nickname “Powerful Southpaw.” He retired from fighting in 1996 and became a coach then bodyguard in Macau. He returned to Thailand and in recent years worked as a municipal employee back home in Kalasin.
His funeral will be held in his hometown, Roi Et’s Saelapoom district.
