Cockfighting Boss 'Hia Kham' Buys 'F16' Rooster for 10 Million Baht
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BURIRAM — The cockfighting community is abuzz after Thanaphum Chueawanich, known as 'Hia Kham', owner of the Wari Thep camp in Ubon Ratchathani, arrived with his team and handed over 10 million baht in cash to buy 'Lord F16', a top fighting cock and the reigning champion of a 26.2 million baht betting match. The bird belonged to Rakchat Rattanawichai, aka 'Hia Kop', owner of the K. Phet Burapha camp in Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram. The transaction took place before a crowd of cockfighting experts who acted as witnesses.
Hia Kham revealed his decision to buy Lord F16 took only three minutes, citing confidence in the bird's bloodline and track record. With gold prices currently dipping, he decided to sell his 200 baht-weight of gold to fund the purchase. He views the acquisition as an investment with strong potential for future returns, though the ultimate payoff will depend on the rooster's continued development and performance.
Hia Kop disclosed that Lord F16 is the son of 'Lord Year Thawithip', holder of the title 'Thep See Ta' (Four-Eyed God), the camp's premier breeding rooster who has won three million-baht championships within just 1 month and 25 days. The bloodline has also produced several other champion offspring, making Lord F16 a highly sought-after bird with a proven lineage.
Currently 20 months old and weighing 2.75 kilograms, Lord F16 has fought 10 bouts, including four main-event million-baht matches. His latest victory came in the 26.2 million baht championship, where he defeated 'Lord Tao' from the Ch. Chok Charoen 98 camp in the early rounds of the fifth fight. The rooster is noted for his speed, precision, and deep, powerful strikes — traits that, combined with his celebrated bloodline, have driven his market value to 10 million baht.
Hia Kop also emphasized that breeding fighting cocks requires honesty, sincerity, and dedication to improving the breed. He wants farmers to have access to quality bloodlines at fair prices, enabling them to develop birds worth millions from stock initially worth only hundreds. The sale of Lord F16 has therefore drawn attention not only for its record price but also for Hia Kham's strategic bet on a famed rooster to generate future value and returns.
