Payap Premchai (Thai: พายัพ เปรมชัย); is a retired Thai Muay Thai fighter.

Payap started training in Muay Thai at the age of 14 and had about 40 fights in various provinces before making his debut at the Lumpinee Stadium in 1975.

In the late 1970s Payap emerged as a top fighter of the Bangkok circuit with an incredibly powerful left kick. in 1979 he defeated a first legend in Pudpadnoi Worawut, he then became the most dominant fighter of Thailand in the higher weights in the early 1980s.
During his career he captured the Rajadamnern Stadium 147 lbs in 1986 and defeated notable fighters of his era such as Sagat Petchyindee, Lakchart Sor.Prasatporn, Posai Sitiboonlert, Somsong Kiathoranee, Krongsak Sakkasem or Samart Prasarnmit. ^[1]

On November 28, 1981 Payap faced Tetsuya Sakiyama at a WKA event in Hong Kong. The back and forth battle was judged a draw after five rounds.^[2]

On January 12, 1984 Payap faced reigning WKA World champion Rob Kaman in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He lost the fight by decision.^[3][4]

On August 8, 1986 Payap took part in a 4-man tournament for the Queen's Birthday event at Samrong stadium. In semifinal he defeated Khunpolnoi Sor.Thanongsak by decision and during the final he stopped Lakchart Sor.Prasatporn with kicks to the arms in the second round.^[5]

On November 24 1986 Payap faced rival Tesuya Sakiyama for the fifth ad last time at a MAJKF in Tokyo, Japan. He won the fight by majority decision.^[6]

On August 13, 1988 Payap traveled to Japan to face the reigning Shootboxing champion Takeshi Caesar at UWF "The Professional Bout". He lost the fight by knockout due to a middle kick in the first round.^[7]

• Rajadamnern Stadium
  • 1986 Rajadamnern Stadium Welterweight (147 lbs) Champion

• List of Muay Thai practitioners