Muay Thai Youngsters

Spent a day in Hua Hin recently. Stayed at a hotel in town, which I'd never stayed at, nice place, the Hua Hin Grand Plaza, very good value (1500 baht a night) and super pool. May do a blog on it at some point.

Usual scenario, we camp down, have some food, nipper dozes off, as does Sutiya. I'm left watching whatever's on tv. Beers in the fridge - x 2 singha, that will do, for now.

Half an hour later and they're done.. I've got a taste on, it's Friday night, and out of the 14th floor window (big place) I spy a night bazaar type night market thingy down below, so decide I'll give it a look and bring back a few little beer chang whilst on my travels.

Walking just outside of the Hua Hin Grand I notice a muay thai gym just outside and guess what.... its a muay thai night..... tonight! Nice one....... Checking out the price, its 500 baht for 6 fights, just over a couple of hours entertainment, that's the kind of thing I'm looking for, a lucky pirate I am.

(above: a muay thai fighter getting ready for the ring) I grab a chair, a bottle of ice cold beer chang, ahhhhhhhh..... settled now, this is quality.

Hang on? What's this? First fight............Two kids???

Yep, and tough little buggers alright. They danced the traditional Thai dance, around the ring, preying in the centre and touching the ring corners. Soon enough, the bell rang, and away they went.

By the second round they had warmed up, and the little fella in black shorts seriously gave the other poor lad a real battering, bringing his knees strongly and sharply into the ribcage of his opponent. It was pretty intense viewing, and when the little guy crashed down wincing in pain, it was clear that this contest was done.

Do I agree with it? Can't say I do, or that I don't.... These kids are brought up to be muay thai fighters, I'm sure they learn heaps of discipline along the way (as all young atheletes do), respect for others, and enjoyment in partaking and being skillful in muay thai from a very young age.

Would I want my kid doing it? no. I don't think so. I don't think I could stand by and watch, it would be too hard........but that doesn't mean I think it's a bad thing, maybe my reluctance to let Aiden do something like this is a weakness or failing on my part...

Maybe these kids won't benefit from these experiences in their own futures, but I hope they do, one thing I do know, it takes a lot of guts to get into a ring no matter what age.

Whatever you think, whether you agree with kids taking part in muay thai or not, you have to take your hat off to these two young lads, and the levels of maturity they show in order to partake in this interesting, skillful, extremely tough sport.

Comments

[james]

Interesting blog, loads of great info. U can find more info on Hua Hin and Muay Thai at www.thaiso.com

[Mike]

Ben I agree regarding the kids, difficult, but I fancy it does instill discipline.

Most of the bouts I have watched involved "warm up" fights involving youngsters.

I wonder was it a bit touristy in Hua Hin?

[Ben Shingleton]

Kind of Mike, it was outside the hotel (big hotel, although, had its heyday in the early nineties I would guess) the actual venue was near enough next door, and a real MT gym.... there were also far more thais than foreigners.. the fights were definitely real.

[Jon]

Great pics Ben.

Agree the fighting is a little brutal though the training is supposed to be an excellent workout - physically and mentally.

I'd be more inclined to let my little fella train but not fight.

[Ben Shingleton]

Yeah I'd go with that as well Jon.... I'm sure the little brat will have his own ideas soon enough ;)

[Catherine]

Ben, that must have been difficult for a parent of a little one to watch.

I'm with Jon as the training is the thing, the fighting not so much.

[Ben Shingleton]

Hiya Cat, yes indeed, it was unexpected. I really have so much respect for their talent and bravery, but I don't think I could watch my one do it ... In two minds about the whole thing (which seems to be a theme with me and thailand these days!)