Pinthong Wongpanya (; born February 1, 1967), known professionally as Langsuan Panyuthaphum (), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a former four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion across three divisions, as well as the 1987 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year, who was famous in the 1980s and 1990s. Nicknamed "Mr. Merciless Knee", he was especially known for his relentless knees and is considered amongst the greatest fighters in Muay Thai history.
Biography and career
Early life and introduction to Muay Thai
Pinthong Wongpanya was born on February 1, 1967 in the village of Tom Dong located at the time in the province of Chiang Rai (now in Phayao Province) near the northern border of Laos. He started Muay Thai at 14 years old under the name of Sayannoi Sor.Jamrat with Khru Jamrat Songngai of the Sor Jamrat camp.
After winning his first 10 fights with the Sor Jamrat camp, he moved to Chiangmai to train under Khru Yuttaphum under the name of Pinthong Phanyutthapum for the Sak Boontham camp owned by Mrs. Boontham Malaitham. Finally he moved to Bangkok under the name of Langsuan Phanyutthapum at the Sasiprapa camp.
Competitive peak in Muay Thai
Langsuan fought in Bangkok for 10 years, he was known as The Merciless Knee Striker for his relentless knee attacks from the clinch.
In 1987 Langsuan had 10 fights, he won 9 times, this performance was enough to earn him the most prestigious prize in Muay Thai, the Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year award. That same year he won his first Lumpinee Stadium title at 108 lbs. Langsuan also won Lumpinee titles at 112 and 115 lbs in later years as well as a World title which he captured during a show in the United States. Langsuan was a notable fighter of his time and had purses going as high as 250,000 baht.
He defeated numerous stars of his era including Karuhat Sor.Supawan, Samson Isaan, Lamnamoon Sor.Sumalee, Hippy Singmanee, Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai, Veeraphol Sahaprom, Paruhatlek Sitchunthong, Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang, Jaroensap Kiatbanchong, and Mathee Jadeepitak.
On March 4, 1988, in the fight with Chamuekpet Hapalang at Lumpinee Stadium, he was in the blue corner. It turned into a no decision fight, as it was stopped midway due to the killing of Chaiwat "Ngow Haphalung" Phalungwattanakit, a gambler and sponsor of Chamuekpet. The fight was stopped shortly before the fifth round begins. The situation at that time indicated that when the five rounds were complete, he would definitely lose.
Decline and later years
After ending his career as a fighter, Langsuan became a trainer in Japan. Eventually he returned to Thailand and now teaches at the Suwannakhiri camp in Ban Mai, Phayao.
Titles and accomplishments
Lumpinee Stadium 1987 Lumpinee Stadium Light Flyweight (108 lbs) Champion 1989 Lumpinee Stadium Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion One successful title defense 1991 Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight (112 lbs) Champion 1992 Lumpinee Stadium Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion
International Muay Thai Federation 1989 I.M.F World Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion
Awards 1987 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year
Fight record
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1994-04-07 || Loss ||align=left| Jaroensak Kiatnakornchon || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1994-01-20 ||Win||align=left| Thailand Pinsinchai || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1993-11-18 ||Win||align=left| Kasemlek Kiatsiri || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1993-09-16 || Loss||align=left| Veeraphol Sahaprom || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Left Hook)|| 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1993-07-12 ||Win||align=left| Tukatathong Por.Pongsawang || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1993-05-17 || Loss||align=left| Duangsompong Por.Pongsawang || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 2 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1993-03-08 || Loss||align=left| Saenkeng Pinsinchai || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision|| 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1992-12-07 || Win ||align=left| Mathee Jadeepitak || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1992-10-24 || Win||align=left| Rainbow Sor.Prantalay || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5|| 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1992-08-07 || Loss ||align=left| Jaroensap Kiatbanchong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Punches)|| 2 || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1992-07-07 ||Win||align=left| Lamnamoon Sor.Sumalee || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1992-06-09 ||Loss||align=left| Lamnamoon Sor.Sumalee || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1992-05-05 ||Win||align=left| Michael Sor.Sukontip || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1992-04-07 ||Win||align=left| Chartchainoi Chaorai-Oi || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Knee to the body)|| 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1992-03-06 ||Win||align=left| Saenmuangnoi Lukjaopormehasak || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1992-01-31 ||Win||align=left| Pompet Naratreekul || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-12-27 || Win||align=left| Pompet Naratreekul || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-11-26 || Win||align=left| Karuhat Sor.Supawan|| Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1991-11-05 || Loss||align=left| Duangsompong Por.Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-10-18 || Win||align=left| Duangsompong Por.Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1991-09-17 || Loss ||align=left| Nungubon Sitlerchai || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1991-08-06 || Loss ||align=left| Nungubon Sitlerchai || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-07-02 || Win||align=left| Pongsiri Por.Ruamrudee || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Knees)|| 4 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-05-31 || Win ||align=left| Jaroensap Kiatbanchong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-04-30 || Win ||align=left| Jaroensap Kiatbanchong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1991-04-05|| Loss ||align=left| Oley Kiatoneway || OneSongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-03-05 || Win ||align=left| Dokmaipa Por.Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-02-12 || Win ||align=left| Karuhat Sor.Supawan || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1991-01-26 || Win ||align=left| Tukatathong Por.Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1990-12-07 || Win ||align=left| Mathee Jadeepitak || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1990-11-20 || Loss ||align=left| Jaroensap Kiatbanchong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1990-10-12 || Win ||align=left| Orono Por.MuangUbon || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1990-08-31|| Loss||align=left| Samranthong Choochokchai || OneSongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || TKO (Ref.Stop/Punches) || 4 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1990-06-26 || Loss ||align=left| Taweesaklek Ploysakda || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1990-05-15 || Loss ||align=left| Wangchannoi Sor.Palangchai || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1990-04-10 || Win||align=left| Pongsiri Por.Ruamrudee || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1990-03-06|| Loss||align=left| Oley Kiatoneway || OneSongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1990-01-28 || Win||align=left| Michael Lieuwfat || Lumpinee Stadium || London, England || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1990-01-19|| Loss ||align=left| Boonlai Sor.Thanikul || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-12-29 || Win ||align=left| Peemai Or Yuttanakorn || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1989-11-27 || Loss||align=left| Rajasak Sor.Vorapin || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-11-02 || Win ||align=left| Rajasak Sor.Vorapin || Rajadamnern Stadium Raja champion vs Lumpinee champion || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1989-09-26 || Loss ||align=left| Kaensak Sor.Ploenjit || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#c5d2ea" | 1989-09-05 || Draw||align=left| Kaensak Sor.Ploenjit || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-08-08 || Win ||align=left| Detduang Por.Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-06-09 || Win ||align=left| Audnoi Lukprabat || 1st IMF World Championships || Anaheim, California, United States || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-05-02 || Win ||align=left| Dokmaipa Por.Pongsawang|| Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-03-28 || Win ||align=left| Karuhat Sor.Supawan ||Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-02-21 || Win ||align=left| Paruhatlek Sitchunthong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1989-01-27 || Loss ||align=left| Noppadet Sor.Rewadee || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#c5d2ea;" | 1989-01-06 || Draw||align=left| Karuhat Sor.Supawan ||Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-12-02 || Win||align=left| Pongsiri Por.Ruamrudee || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-10-13 || Win||align=left| Veeraphol Sahaprom || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1988-09-09 || Loss ||align=left| Wangchannoi Sor.Palangchai || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 2 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-07-26 || Win ||align=left| Dokmaipa Por.Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;"