Biography

Born Surasak Pakkhothakang on December 16th, 1984 in rural Thailand. Kem Sitsongpeenong grew up in Maha Sarakham on the southern part of the Korat Plain known for its rice fields. For a long time the region was ranked as one of the poorest cities in Isaan, the northeast region of Thailand.
Kem began training young, as is typical of male youth from the region, and had his first fight at the age of 13 in 1997. He fought roughly ten times in his hometown before leaving for Bangkok at the age of 14. He began training and fighting out of Sor Ploenchit Muay Thai gym where he would take the Thailand Champion Belt at 122 lbs and the Rajadamern Stadium belt at 130lbs in 2007.

Fight Career

In 2008 Kem would be purchased by the internationally famous Fairtex gym and would stay there for two years until he moved onto Sitsongpeenong where he would be trained by Moonlit Sitphodaeng. Moonlit is a well regarded trainer who has also helped bring up Sittichai Sitsongpeenong and others.

During the beginning stages of his career he fought regularly on the Bangkok Muay Thai circuit and was a regular at Rajadamnern stadium in central Bangkok. While there he was active in Bangkok and he fought Saenchai PK Saenchai Muay Thai Gym several times winning one of their three matches. Saenchai was able to take the rubber match win on KO in the fourth round.

In 2009 Kem began to appear on the international stage and bested Fabio Pinca via unanimous decision on the La Nuit des Champions show. This secured him the MTA Muay Thai World title at 69kgs. The next year in 2010 he would face the very technical Giorgio Petrosyan on It’s Showtime under kickboxing rules but would lose a decision loss after three rounds of action.

The following year, in 2011, he would win the 21st Isuzu Cup, a well regarded tournament in Thailand with wins over Nopparat Keathkhamtorn, Kongjak Sor Tuantong, Prakaisaeng Sit O and Nopparat Keatkhamtorn again in the final at Omnoi Stadium.

He was able to beat Fabio Pinca again in 2011 on for a Thai Fight 67kg Tournament in which he also faced Korean Dongsu Kim.

Beginning in 2012 Kem would begin to fight more regularly internationally. He took on K1 Max veteran Andy Sower in a Shoot Boxing World tournament where he lost a decision in Tokyo Japan and fought Jordan Watson of England to a draw on the YOKKAO Extreme card in Milan Italy in 2013. He has also secured victories over Toby Smith and defeated Dylan Salvador on two separate occasions.

Kem has continued to fight, largely in China for the Glory of Heroes Card. He also recently opened a gym of his own in the Khao Yai mountains in rural Isaan. The gym was opened in the latter part of 2014 on Kem’s family property in Khao Yai Thiang.

Kem is known for his technical style of fighting with excellent balance and composure. 

Are you are interested in hosting a seminar with Kem Sitsongpeenong or inviting him to fight on your show?