Muay Thai champion Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek is considered one of the most well decorated Thai kick boxing stars the country has ever produced. His proudest achievements are winning the K-1 World MAX Champions twice (2004 and 2006) and leading the national kickboxing team to take home 12 medals at the 31st SEA Games (Vietnam 2021). Working on his craft since he was eight years old, he is wielding his passion and discipline as a technical director of ring sport at the Kickboxing Association of Thailand, training the national team for international competitions, especially the next SEA Games event in Cambodia 2023. He continues to take part in fight events, promoting Muaythai to the world and proving to all that success comes from discipline and passion. One day he hopes to be recognised globally as a Muay Thai fighter, and that his Banchamek Gym and Buakaw Village in Chiang Mai will become an international Muay Thai Academy. With his concern for marginalised children with little or no access to education, he plans to offer scholarships to children, letting them learn both Muay Thai and how to live a sufficiency led lifestyle. He enjoys northeastern music and cooking his Surin hometown recipes.