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Help Preserve Thai & Muay Thai history

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Video Documentary:
https://youtu.be/-cu97smW_Os 

Video of my mother reading about her uncle for the first time which I based parts of my documentary video from. 
https://youtu.be/4ZgXlp-0Qvo 

This fundraiser is to help preserve Muay Thai history by telling the story of my great grand uncle, Sakchai Nakpayak. I have acquired rare information about my grandmother's brother who was a famous Thai boxing champion in the 1950's. He was tragically murdered at the prime of his career and almost forgotten about. His fighting name was Sakchai Nakpayak. ศักดิ์ชัย นาคพยัคฆ์

His story is full of triumphs, failures, love, mystery and tragedy. It is truly unique and one of a kind. I want to share it with the world.

I have created a 33 minute video documentary about his life and murder, but it isn't the complete story. I have to travel to Thailand to gather more information about his life. 

Even though my grandparents have passed away, I have recently found out that my grandmother's sister, my grand aunt, is still alive. I have never met her before. I was also told there is a box of Sakchai's belongings kept safe for all these years, which include Sakchai's original fight robe. This robe belongs in a museum to be used to educate the world on his achievements as well as the rich culture and history of Muay Thai. If you watch part 3 in the video, I explain in more detail. 

I am literally racing against the clock because the people I need to talk to have first hand knowledge of the 1950s, and unfortunately may not have much time left on this earth. These people may be the only real linkof the past the world has left.

I am asking for help because the company that employed me downsized and let go of a lot of people, which included me.  I had originally planned to travel to Thailand to continue my research on my own but losing my job put my wife and I in a financial rut. I would like to ask for help with travel expenses to continue this mission, and come home with new information and hopefully a light at the end of this tunnel. I believe fully in my heart and soul that my purpose is to contribute to Thai history and culture with my grand uncle's story.

I have a bachelors degree and fully plan on getting a job when I come back from Thailand. I am taking this opportunity in between work to follow my instincts and use this precious time that was given to me to interview people who are still alive.  I feel that if I do not go at this time, I might lose my chance at gathering precious data forever.

This mission is an ongoing one, and now I have leads that will help me investigate further. I have teamed up with an author and Muay Thai historian who has given me most of my data. I also plan to communicate with The World Muay Thai Counsel to assist me along the way, if possible.

Either way, there is a fight robe to collect and preserve. The family will not entrust these things to just anyone, and it is a great honor that I can collect this item. There will be an updated video after whatever data can be collected in Thailand. Your name will be added in the credits in the new documentary and you will be remembered forever for being a part of this preservation of Thai culture. 

I will film my journey and whatever discovery I find and post it on my youtube channel as events happen. 

I know this is reaching, but I'm also hoping Sakchai's beloved is still alive and hopefully I can get an interview with her. If you watch my video documentary, you will find out more about her.

This money will be used for:
1. Round-trip plane ticket to Thailand
2. Shelter when not staying with family
3. Transportation
4. Food
5. Paying people for information (just in case)

Your donation will help contribute to Thai history and culture forever!

Thank you!

You can view the documentary here as well. 

Organizer

Pat Somajarint Cornett
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA

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