Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn

"Sky Piercing Knee"

Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn (born Charin Sorndee in 1961) is universally regarded as the greatest Muay Khao (knee fighter) in Muay Thai history, dominating the sport during its "Golden Age." Standing at an exceptional 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm), his height and style earned him the nickname "Khun Khao Talufaa" (The Sky-Piercing Knee Kicker). Dieselnoi was the Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight Champion (135 lbs) for four consecutive years, from 1981 to 1985, a reign that ended only when he was forced to retire due to a complete lack of challengers in his weight division. His most famous victory came in 1982 against the legendary Samart Payakaroon, where Dieselnoi’s relentless knee attacks proved overwhelming. With a final record of approximately 110 wins in 119 fights, he was also honored as the 1982 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year.

Fighting Style: Muay Khao

Fighter Stats

Birth Year

1961

Nationality

Thai

Weight Classes

Featherweight – 126 lbs (≈57.1 kg)
Junior Lightweight – 130 lbs (≈59 kg)
Lightweight – 135 lbs (≈61.2 kg)

Record

~110-5-4

Active Years

1970-1985

Camp/Gym

Sor Banchongsak, Chor Thanasukarn, Sor Thanikul, Hapalang

Achievements

Titles Won

Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight Champion
WFMA World Lightweight
1982 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year

Notable Fights

Samart Payakaroon (1982)
Wichannoi Porntawee (3x)
Sagat Petchyindee (2x)

Biography

Dieselnoi (real name Charin Sorndee) was born on December 27, 1961, in Ayutthaya province. He began training in Muay Thai at age 13, initially fighting under the name Dieselnoi Sor.Banchongsak in the 32 kg division, before later moving to camps like Sor.Worakulchai and the famous Sor.Thanikul.

Rising quickly through the ranks, Dieselnoi cemented his legendary status in 1981 by capturing the Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) championship against Koapong Sittichuchai. His dominance was so overwhelming that he often struggled to find opponents, leading to a 15-month period of inactivity as champion. In 1982, he won the World Free-style Martial Arts Championship and, critically, defeated the great Samart Payakaroon in a highly anticipated superfight. Weighing in light at 129.7 lbs to meet the catch weight of 132 lbs, Dieselnoi outscored Samart with his signature knee attacks in a bout that set a purse record at the time. This performance earned him the prestigious Sports Writer's 1982 Fighter of the Year Award.

Known universally as "Khun Khao Talufaa" (The Sky-Piercing Knee), Dieselnoi leveraged his extraordinary height of 6'2" to impose a fearsome clinch game. He continued to defeat top fighters, including two wins over Sagat Petchyindee at catch weights. After an international win against American kickboxer John Moncayo, Dieselnoi concluded his career with two fights against Krongsak Prakong-Boranrat in 1985 (one draw, one win). After an incredible four-year reign, Dieselnoi was eventually stripped of his Lumpinee title and forced to retire because there were simply no credible challengers left in his weight division.