He made two unsuccessful attempts at the NBA World Bantamweight title to Jimmy Carruthers and Robert Cohen in May and September 1954, both to audiences over 60,000.

He is considered the first Thai boxer to have the opportunity to challenge for a World Champion, his fight with Jimmy Carruthers on May 2, 1954 was also the first world-class professional boxing event that took place in Thailand.

On December 30, 1949, Songkitrat debuted against Mok Kai Khoon in the Happy World Arena, Singapore.

More than 60,000 spectators attended, including King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand[1] Songkitrat was sponsored partly by the Royal Thai Police Department.

The stadium was open-roofed, and as it was monsoon season and raining, both competitors fought barefoot and were forced to dodge falling light globes as they exploded from gusts of wind.