Yodthong Senanan, a famous Muay Thai trainer, died of cirrhosis in Chon Buri Hospital on Friday. He was 75.
Yodthong was born on Aug 28, 1937 in Ratchaburi's Ban Pong district. Better known as Khru Tui, he was a staunch advocate of the national martial art and highly respected by society.
Yodthong "Khru Tui" Senanan, right, gives pointers to a Muay Thai fighter at his boxing camp. (File photo)
The famous boxers he trained included Samart Payak-aroon, Kongthoranee Pakyak-aroon, Yodsanan 3K Battery, and Yoddamrong Sidyodthong.
Yodthong was the owner of the Sidyodthong boxing camp in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri.
On Nov 1, 2005, Yodthong won the first prize in the lottery, a 56-million-baht jackpot. He made headlines after announcing that he would donate 46 million baht to needy people, including his old boxing buddies, and would keep the rest for himself.
People claiming to be in need of money subsequently descended on his house in Pattaya from every part of the country. He also received numerous letters requesting money which he estimated added up to 200 million baht.
In the end, he felt compelled to announce that he was no longer rich and had only about one million baht left in his bank account.
He reportedly said it would be better if he had not won the big prize as he found it was very hard to reject people's requests for help.