| Known by many as Thai Boxing, Muay Thai is the | | | | expect to see in the Western world after all, and can |
| national sport of Thailand and is avidly watched and | | | | leave some tourists a little shocked. Why would their |
| followed by much of the population of the country. This | | | | parents push them into a dangerous sport at such a |
| form of 'hard martial art' is not only a sport but is | | | | young age? Are they being exploited so that parents |
| considered to be a form of entertainment, and makes | | | | and trainers can make money out of them? These |
| for a fun night out for many visitors to Thailand who | | | | are the kind of questions that run through many |
| have never seen a Muay Thai fight before. | | | | visitors' minds, but there are both pros and cons to |
| What is Muay Thai? | | | | children competing in Muay Thai. |
| Muay Thai is an ancient martial art that has its origins | | | | Arguments in favor of children competing in Muay Thai |
| hundreds of years ago. Throughout the centuries the | | | | Though it may be controversial, there are actually |
| sport has changed and evolved somewhat; different | | | | many advantages to children competing in Muay Thai. |
| forms of the sport have developed over the years | | | | Here are just a few... |
| from the origins of Muay Boran (ancient boxing) into | | | | Although Thailand is an emerging economy there are |
| the form of Thai boxing that we see today. | | | | still many people here who struggle to make ends |
| As well as being a sport, Thai boxing has been a form | | | | meet, working long hours for little money. By starting |
| of warfare as well. Armies were trained in the art of | | | | training at a young age and becoming successful, |
| Muay Thai in order to protect kings, and with a history | | | | children can win competitions that can help pay for |
| like this you can easily see how it has become such a | | | | their upbringing, providing food, clothes, books and more |
| highly regarded sport in Thailand! | | | | which might otherwise be difficult to obtain. |
| How does Muay Thai differ from Western boxing? | | | | Education is compulsory up to and including Grade 9 |
| Nowadays boxers do not use their bare hands as | | | | so young children should not be missing any school to |
| they used to, but have gloves very similar to those | | | | train and fight, however, if they become successful at |
| used in Western boxing. Obviously punching is utilized, | | | | the sport they can continue competing into their teens |
| though the gloves and the punching are where the | | | | and adulthood, providing them with a reasonable |
| similarities between these two types of boxing end! | | | | income. |
| Muay Thai is often referred to as 'The Art of Eight | | | | Child boxers train extensively for their matches. Rarely |
| Limbs' because eight parts of the body are used by | | | | do injuries occur when the children are so well trained |
| Muay Thai boxers - both hands, elbows, knees and | | | | in defense and agility. |
| shins are all used. This contrasts to Western boxing | | | | With all the training they do, child boxers are kept very |
| where there are just two limbs, or two points of | | | | fit and healthy, probably much more so than other Thai |
| contact - the fists. | | | | children. |
| For each point of contact there are many different | | | | Arguments against children competing in Muay Thai |
| moves that the Thai boxer can use, making this an | | | | The advantages sound good, but opponents will argue |
| interesting and quite technical sport, and one that is | | | | that there are many disadvantages too, such as that |
| often learnt from an early age. Children regularly | | | | the children are being exploited by greedy parents; it is |
| compete for titles and while it is often the children who | | | | dangerous; they should be enjoying their childhood etc |
| draw the larger crowds, some Western visitors may | | | | etc, and while these are valid points they don't |
| find that watching such young children fighting goes | | | | necessarily apply to all child Thai boxers. |
| against their values and beliefs. | | | | Some children may be being exploited, but others are |
| Child Muay Thai Boxers | | | | merely being encouraged because a parent or a |
| There's no doubt that watching an evening of Muay | | | | trainer could see the potential in them. It might be |
| Thai is great entertainment and if there's a competition | | | | wrong to encourage competition at such a young age, |
| on while you're visiting Thailand you should try to get | | | | but this isn't unique to Thailand - the beauty pageants |
| along and watch a couple of rounds at least, after all, | | | | for young girls in North America that are very popular |
| this is the country's national sport! | | | | with some, could be argued as exploitation by others, |
| Despite the entertainment value some tourists may | | | | so is Thai boxing really all that different? |
| find it just a little too controversial when young children, | | | | Make up your own mind by going along to one of the |
| including girls, take to the ring and start punching and | | | | Muay Thai evenings the next time you're in Thailand! |
| kicking each other! This isn't something you would | | | | |