Thailand’s child kick-boxers face an often deadly fight to escape poverty
- While Muay Thai is a huge part of society in the kingdom, there has been a backlash against the involvement of children as young as 12
- But proponents of the sport say training to be a professional means starting young, and for many it is a path out of hardship for them and their family
Jakkrit Matha – who only turned 16 in May – has battled to overcome the hardships of life. His mother was only recently released from prison after serving time on drug charges. His 70-year-old grandfather still drives a bus to earn a living, while his grandmother looks after his two siblings in Phetchabun province, 300km from Bangkok, after his father left the family.
Today, Jakkrit fights to support himself and his grandparents financially, quite literally – through Muay Thai, or Thai kick-boxing. He takes part in about a match a month, and has been training at Jitmuangnon Muay Thai Gym, about an hour from central Bangkok, run by Suntaree Lohapued, 35, a camp manager whom he calls a second mother. His goal is to gain “many championships and earn millions”.
Jakkrit goes to school on weekdays after morning training, which begins at 4am. After school, he trains for another three hours, starting at 4pm. He admits his school performance is not all that impressive, but he wants to earn a degree in accountancy after he finishes high school in two years, using the money he earns from kick-boxing.
“I like kick-boxing. I can’t say why,” Jakkrit said. “A man I know has an accounting degree and has a good job. I also want to be a kick-boxing coach.”
Trainer Suntaree’s job is to make sure Jakkrit and the camp’s 30 or so young fighters aged between 12 and 28 can follow their dreams and be financially independent.