Tributes have been pouring into Thailand from around the world for Muay Thai legend Apidej Sit-hirun, who died earlier this month at the age of 72 after a long fight with cancer.
Thousands of well-wishers attended Apidej’s cremation last week in Samut Prakan.
His body was cremated at Wat Bang Phli Yai in Samut Prakan on Tuesday.
The grand master's extraordinary career peaked in the 1960s and in all he accumulated a record of 350 wins for just 10 losses and one draw.
He was born in Tambon Bang Nokkhwaek of Samut Songkhram and specialised in kicking so he was dubbed the 'Kicker of Bang Nokkhwaek'.
Apidej, whose real name was Narong Songmanee, was also known as the 'Man with Seven Titles' for his wins in both Muay Thai and international boxing.
Apidej's extraordinary life as Muay Thai fighter and master trainer is showcased in the National Museum and he was one of the most outstanding champions of both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums.
Apidej with Mike Warren.
He was a trainer at the Fairtex gym in recent years and Fairtex founder and chairman Phillip Wong said he had been 'side-by-side' with Apidej for 40 years.
"He was an amazing fighter, an incredibly dedicated teacher and such a wonderful person. Myself and so many others will miss him dearly," Wong said.
WBC vice-president Kovid Bhakdibhumi remembers joining a massive crowd that thronged into Rajadamnern in the mid-60s to witness the rivalry fight between Apidej and Adul Srisothorn.
"He was then _ and remains _ the icon for Muay Thai. He was adored by so many and his greatness lives on," said Pol Gen Kovid.
Three years ago, Mike Warren, a director of Primus International, an aerospace company, flew into Bangkok to have two-day personal training session with Acharn (teacher) Apidej.
Warren was then 38 years old and recalls the master coaxing him into acquiring a new level of Muay Thai expertise.
Warren trained in New York at the Muay Thai Five Points Academy and the Viwat Sakulrat gym in Los Angeles for 10 years.
He had never been to Thailand and his first visit to Bangkok to open up a new manufacturing facility allowed Warren to get one-on-one training with Apidej.
"It was my dream to get private lessons from such a world-renowned Muay Thai fighter and teacher. It was just fantastic. He had the ability to open up the minds of foreigners the real art of Muay Thai," Warren said.
"The two days I spent with Apidej at the Fairtex gym was something very special. Muay Thai is much more than having fine combat skills, which is true, but it goes very deep into knowing mental and physical form."
What Apidej was able to pass on to Warren were the principles for being a Thai-style warrior both inside and outside the ring.
"On the surface, Muay Thai is about a stand-up combat sport of offence and defence. But there are other levels that Apidej opened my mind to understand that training in Muay Thai can be beneficial to all people no matter from what country you're born or where you live," he said.
"Muay Thai is a great gift from Thailand to world, and I am privileged to have been taught Muay Thai by a great master."
Muay Thai legend Apidej Sit-hirun.
Apidej received a Hall of Fame award from Siam Sport Syndicate in 2009.
