Transgender offers to assist Pinoy Muay fighters
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Nov 2018
Thai transgender Parinya Jaroenphon said the other day she?s ready to promote Muay Thai as an ambassador in the Philippines and extended her offer to include training Filipino women in the sport where the 37-year-old celebrity was once a standout with over 70 bouts, several titles and appearances from Japan to Sweden.
Parinya was recently in town to attend the WBC Women?s Convention and Asian Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). She was a guest participant and magnet for selfies throughout the two-day gathering.
?I?ve retired from fighting,? she said. ?But I?m still active in promoting Muay Thai and training fighters. I?m busy with a lot of activities. I?ve done over 10 movies, mostly action films, never romantic. I sometimes date but I?m careful not to be involved in a relationship because I don?t believe in the sincerity of some men when they propose to me.?
Born to a poor family in a town near Bangkok, Parinya said she sensed something wrong with her gender at the age of six. ?I liked my hair long, I wore dresses and I was very close to my mother,? she said. To find herself, Parinya went to a Buddhist monastery then took up Muay Thai. In 1998, Parinya became an instant attraction in the ring, showing up to fight with make-up. After a year, at the age of 17, she retired from Muay Thai and underwent a sex change operation at the Yanhee Hospital.
?I had a sex change and also breast implants,? said Parinya, the middle of three children. ?I became an actress, singer and model. Then, in 2006, I made a comeback in Muay Thai. I even fought in Sweden. Now, I?ve retired as a fighter but I?m still actively promoting Muay Thai.? Her all-time favorite Thai fighter is former WBC superbantamweight champion Samart Payakaroon who was known for his good looks and fighting ability. Samart, now 55, became an actor and singer after he retired from boxing. In 2003, a sports bio movie entitled ?Beautiful Boxer? on Parinya?s life was released to critical acclaim.
Another prominent Thai boxing figure who attended the convention was Naris Singwancha, a retired 73-year-old philanthropist who made his millions in real estate. Singwancha has been involved in boxing for over 20 years and managed several Thai world champions including former WBC flyweight titlist Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, former WBC bantamweight and superfeatherweight ruler Sirimongkol Singmanasak and former WBC minimumweight titleholder Wandee Chor Chareon.
?When I was younger, I used to visit Manila once a month, now it?s once in two months,? said Singwancha. ?I fell in love with Philippine boxing because of Manny Pacquiao. His story is an inspiration. He came from a poor family and never forgot his beginnings. He helps millions of people, not just as a world champion or a rich man but now, as a Senator. Pacquiao inspires me to help people. In Thailand, I give the equivalent of about P5,000 a month to 28 former Thai world champions each. In the Philippines, I give to the GAB $1,000 a month to distribute to about 12 former Filipino world champions. It?s my way of helping out retired fighters and taking care of former world champions who brought honor to their country.?
Singwancha has opened a boxing gym in Cebu with Wakee Salud and paid for the construction of a 12-room dorm where more than 20 boxers live. The Thai patron is known to give cash incentives for boxers who score sensational wins, particularly by knockout, when he?s at ringside. During the convention?s Gala Dinner last Saturday night, GAB chairman Abraham Mitra presented Singwancha with a special citation for his contribution to Philippine boxing.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025