About Us

 

Tuff Sport Timeline

The 2000s

After graduating from MA IT in Manufacturing at Warwick University, UK in 2003, Wootinun (Oak) Sungong created his business in the e-commerce industry which in Thailand was still in its infancy. With limited funds and zero experience in any field of business, Wootinun started searching for Thai products that suited the e-commerce space which lead to him to Muay Thai merchandise. Ever since he was a child, Wootinun thoroughly enjoyed watching the art and sport of Muay Thai. Eventually starting his venture on eBay and “muaythaistuff.com” with only 4 staff to his company, opening a small office in Laksi, Bangkok.
 

 

After a time, selling other Muay Thai brands and building trust with his own client base, Wootinun decided to start TUFF, symbolising volcanic rock and the toughness of his character. His concept, although seeming simple, noticed that most Muay Thai Shorts looked incredibly similar, even from a multitude of brands. With this unique direction in mind, Wootinun seized the opportunity by designing outstanding-looking shorts for the industry, starting with T-shirts as his first-ever product collection. Then in 2008, Wootinun was invited to a sports expo back in London, UK where his brand started to become well received across the world for lovers of Muay Thai.

To service the evergrowing demand, in 2009 Wootinun built his own factory with over 20 specialised staff to ensure the demands of his customers were met, TUFF Engineering was then created as a premium garment manufacturer to support the needs of TUFF and the newly created “Kombat” brand which offered more inexpensive and customised Muay Thai products.

During this time, TUFF’s main company office moved to Vista Park where additional marketing and IT team were then recruited to assist with the growth of the brand. This growth led to the eyes of Muay Thai's largest promoters and shows in Thailand.

TUFF’s Muay Thai Shorts were used in the Kings Cup Muay Thai Champion show in 2009 and 2010 where the annual tournament was booming with thousands of locals and world-class champions including, Yodsanklai, Cosmo Alexandre, and many more.

In 2009 and 2010, TUFF collaborated in the World Muay Thai Council (WMC) association which is the authoritative body for professional Muay Thai regulation across Thailand and the globe.

The 2010s

As the new decade was upon TUFF started to become one of the top, online Muay Thai brands in the industry. With the huge success of the Muay Thai movie “Ong Bak”, many new eyes across the world started to fall in love with the sport of Muay Thai, bringing thousands of hobbyists and potential fighters to gyms across the planet and most importantly Thailand.

Upon that success, TUFF established its first-ever camp (Fighter Gym) near its head office in Laksi to attract the attention of those who wish to learn the art of Muay Thai. The camp boasted bedrooms, training facilities, and equipment for hobbyists and fighters who wish to gain further fitness, knowledge, and greater potential.

E-Commerce in Thailand was growing at such an incredible rate, TUFF started to incorporate campaigns with Amazon and Google to assist with the further growth of the brand. Due to this entrepreneurial decision, Mr Oak became a presenter for Google Thailand and his own name was starting to appear in Thailand press, magazines and even famous Thailand talk shows such as “Talks With Woody”.

During this period, the Muay Thai legend Orono Por Muan Ubon was also hired as one of the head trainers at the TUFF gym. Sponsored “TUFF warriors” fighters were also introduced during this period, endorsing the biggest names in Muay Thai, including Joe Schilling, and Ramazan Ramaznov just to name a few!

In 2011 however, a major flood affected the entire area of Bangkok, affecting more than 12.8 million people and according to The World Bank, estimated to have caused 1.44 trillion Baht in damages. Unfortunately, TUFF was also affected, with staff having to carry paid orders on foot just to meet the demand of the shipping agents!

Once the floods were over, TUFF needed to bounce back from the devastation.
TUFF camp was moved upstairs and indoors to Peter’s Mansion, Ekamai which was one of the hottest areas in the centre of Bangkok.
The entire 10th floor was renovated and transferred into the TUFF’s mainstay gym with an added swimming pool and upgraded fitness facilities.

All people from all areas of life started to come train at the camp where seminars regarding MMA and Muay Thai were run by some legends in the sports.

This new facility also allowed many of its fighters to compete at the legendary Thai stadiums including Ratchadamnoen and Lumpinee Stadium just to name a few!
TUFF also established their Youtube channel “Tuff Sports TV” where Muay Thai content was created to provide tips, interviews, and more to the Muay Thai community.

In 2012, TUFF also became associated with the MMA scene in Bangkok.
Promotions such as DARE, NAKSU, and more were sponsored by TUFF with customised shorts and MMA gear.

In 2018, TUFF became one of the original members of the Federation of Thai Industries, Muay Thai & Sports Cluster giving TUFF the opportunity