LOOKSUAN GYM, LOCATED IN BANGKOK, HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 1957!
LOOKSUAN GYM, LOCATED IN BANGKOK, HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 1957!
by Serge TRÉFEU (2026)
The founder of Looksuan Camp was Yangtha Chin Wangkasem, who established it in 1957. He was also its first head coach. Yangtha was the uncle of the current owner of Looksuan, Bangmad Looksuan, also known as Teep Wangkasem.
In the early 1980s, Kalim Wangkasem, Bangmad’s older brother, trained the majority of the camp’s champions. The Wangkasem family lived in the suburbs of Bangkok, at Soi Suk Sawat 14, in the very neighborhood where the Looksuan camp is still located today.
Initially modest, with simple facilities, the Looksuan camp gradually developed into a major organization, hosting some of the biggest names in Muay Thai.
Bangmad, the youngest of the Wangkasem family, came from a line of renowned boxers, his older brothers having all distinguished themselves in the sport.
The camp’s first great champions in the 1980s were Mousa Looksuan, Madam Looksuan, Abidi Looksuan, and Saksi Looksuan. Mousa Looksuan was undoubtedly the camp’s most memorable fighter, a true terror in the ring. Saksi Looksuan was also very talented; during that time, he faced stars such as Samart Payakaroon and Samransak Muangsurin.
In the 1990s, the camp experienced a decline that lasted nearly ten years, due to the departure of Yangtha Chin Wangkasem, who left to work in Saudi Arabia during that period.
In the early 2000s, after Yangtha Chin Wangkasem’s death, Bangmad took over the camp and set about reviving it. To relaunch Looksuan Gym, he partnered with Jiao Thon, also known as Khaothung Sitkhaothung, a well-known figure in the boxing world.
Today, Bangmad manages the camp alongside his son, Abbas Wangkasem, who is the manager.
Khwanphet Sor Suwanphakdee also fought successfully for Looksuan. He won several belts, including the Lumpinee Championship in 2015, as well as a WMO world title. Khwanphet is now a trainer at Looksuan Gym.
Later, ring star Polkrit Kor Kampanat came to fight under the Looksuan banner towards the end of his career. This great champion had a remarkable career, defeating renowned opponents such as Muangthai Sor Boonyiam, Wanchalong Sit Sornong, and Satanfa Eminentair.
Polkrit won five belts: he was TV7 champion at 105 lbs and 108 lbs, S1 world champion at 112 lbs, Rajadamnern champion at 112 lbs, and WPMF world champion at 115 lbs. He is also an international referee recognized by the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Today, Polkrit serves as the head coach of Looksuan Gym.
The camp currently has several talented boxers who regularly fight in the prestigious ONE Championship organization at Lumpinee Stadium, such as Samingdam Looksuan, Panpadet Looksuan, Hern Looksuan, Sulaiman Looksuan, Wanpadej Looksuan and Padejsuk Looksuan.
Samingdam, known for his flamboyant style, boasts a record of five wins in six ONE fights. Panpadet remains undefeated in five fights, as does Hern, also undefeated with four wins. Sulaiman has three wins in six fights, while Wanpadej has two wins in four bouts and Padejsuk three wins in four fights.
Other Looksuan fighters primarily compete on the RWS circuit at Rajadamnern Stadium, such as Samingkhao, Prakaitong, and Rawee.
The camp also attracts many foreign fighters who come to train and represent their country. In 2024, French champion Brice Delval, from Mahmoudi Gym, won the Lumpinee belt in the 150 lbs division with Team Looksuan.
Finally, champion Cindy Silvestre, nicknamed “Cyborg” (150 fights, seven-time world champion), has been training at Looksuan Gym for nearly two years and regularly competes in Thailand for the camp.
