Poverty, Child Protection And Pride Of Thai Martial Arts Fighters

JAKARTA - As one of the countries with a distinctive and famous martial arts sport, Muaythai. Being a reliable fighter is an honor for Thai men. Especially if you can become a professional reliable fighter, where pride and economy are obtained together.

If this used to only exist in the minds of Thai adult men, later, this dream also began to permeate minors. In fact, it has been realized, where there is a professional fight for children in Thailand.

Just look at nine-year-old Thai fighter Pornpattara "Tata" Peachaurai is eager to get back in the ring, after coronavirus restrictions halted his fighting season more than five months ago. The money he made was an important income for his family.

"All the money from boxing, regular payments, and tips, everything belongs to mom. I am proud to be a boxer and make money for my mother," the skinny young fighter told Reuters on Saturday, April 10.

Tata's last fight took place in October, before a second COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand closed sporting events because of a ban on large gatherings being re-imposed.

"I can't do boxing. I haven't practiced boxing either. I helped my mother sell something," he said.

Tata lives with her mother and 16-year-old sister Poomrapee, who is also a young national team fighter.

His family relied on Tata's income as a way out of poverty and hoped he could become a professional Muay Thai fighter. He can also join the police or army, to then represent them in the ring, to earn higher ranks and bonuses.

"Usually he gives his income to me. Sometimes he asks for some toys after a fight," said Tata's mother, Sureeporn Eimpong, 40.

Child fights in Thailand can be as popular as adult fights and take place at tournaments, festivals, and temple exhibitions. There are about 300,000 boxers under the age of 15, according to the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand.

Some medical experts are calling for a ban on boxing for minors, as it can lead to stunted growth, long-term neurological problems, brain damage, and disability.

The problem is, parental consent is the only current requirement for child boxers, making it relatively easy for children to go down fighting in the paid ring.

'I'm not worried about boxing. Not many injuries in child boxing. I'm confident in the system," Sureeporn said, adding that boxers are trained to protect themselves.

But the system doesn't always work. In 2018, Tata fought in the same tournament where a 13-year-old boy died of a brain hemorrhage after being knocked out in the ring. Sureeporn said the referee was too slow to intervene.

National Institute of Child and Family Development at Thailand's Mahidol University Adisak Plitponkarnpim, expressed surprise. From brain scans conducted on 250 child fighters. It found several cases of severe damage that can affect a child's development, affecting the brain and intelligence levels.

"Boxing creates brain injuries as we can clearly see in older boxers. Parents who rely on the income of their children at the age of eight or nine should ask themselves, what exactly do they demand from these children?" murmured Adisak.

Some members of Thailand's Parliament have sought to ban the fight for those under the age of 12. However, the bill failed to reach parliament and is likely to face resistance, due to the popularity of child fights and the income they generate.

Sureeporn says boxing is his son's life. In fact, She mentions Tata's future exists in the world he currently lives in.

"I'm from the lower classes and I only make enough money to survive and don't have savings or a luxury home," Sureeporn said.