[2] He moved to Lukmingkwan gym to start his career in Bangkok, where he took the name Sangtiennoi Sitsurapong.
Sangtiennoi was one of the most popular Muay Thai fighters of his era, receiving purses of over 200,000 baht.
Sangtiennoi was also a primary training partner and Thai-based teacher of successful Australian Muay Thai fighter John Wayne Parr.
The injury would continue to hinder him, and he was forced to retire in 2000 when his shoulder was damaged against Takashi Ito in Japan.
During the recovery from injuries, Sangtiennoi opened a gym in his native Pathum Thani.