Burklerk was born in 1966 in the Buriram Province where his father initiated him to Muay Thai at the age of 9.
He was initially too small to compete in Bangkok and fought mostly in Rangsit, Samrong and Chaophraya.
By 1987 he was considered one of the best fighter in the country having won two Thailand titles and being the reigning Lumpinee Stadium 112 lbs champion.
[2] After losing his Lumpinee Stadium 112 lbs belt in 1987 Burklerk took a break of over 3 years in order to heal a chronic stomach disease.
Burklerk made his comeback in 1991 and quickly regained his elite fighter status, he reached the final of the annual Isuzu Cup where he lost to Lakhin Wassandasit.