- Title: THAILAND: PRISON ALLOWS INMATES TO TRAIN IN TRADITIONAL THAI BOXING
- Date: 9th July 2003
- Summary: KHON KAEN, THAILAND (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PRISONERS TRAINING BOXING GLOVES LINED AT SIDE OF RING VARIOUS OF PRISONERS KICKING PUNCH BAGS VIEW OF TRAINING AREA THROUGH BARBED WIRE TATTOOED BOXER TRAINING TRAINER WATCHING TRAINER CALLING PRISONERS TO STOP EXERCISING WIDESHOT OF TRAINING AREA PRISON GUARDS WATCHING SOUNDBITE (Thai) PRISON GUARD AND MANAGER OF KIAT DAOTHONG (HONOUR OF THE GOLDEN STAR BOXING CLUB) SUROPONG KONSAN SAYING: "They are as good as professionals. They can compete with anyone on the circuit with their levels of skill and stamina. They enter lots of competitions and bring back lots of trophies." SURAPONG WATCHING TRAINING PRISONERS DOING EXERCISES IN YARD PRISONERS JUMPING OVER PLASTIC DOMES OTHER PRISONERS WATCHING BARBED WIRE PRISON WARDEN PRAYAT INTARASONGKROH PRISONERS SOUNDBITE (Thai) WARDEN PRAYAT SAYING: "We want the boxers that we train to be like real professionals. If we had a champion here it would be my proudest moment. The best thing I've done is to encourage a professional attitude that will prepare them for society." PRISONER SOMKID PENGLOY PRACTISING KICKS WITH FRIEND GUARDS WATCHING SOMKID AND FRIEND LEAVING PRISON TO ATTEND TOURNAMENT WIDE OF STADIUM DURING TOURNAMENT SOMKID TALKING WITH MOTHER VARIOUS OF PRISONERS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS CHATTING AND EATING PRISONER HAVING GLOVES LACED SOMKID BEING MASSAGED BEFORE FIGHT SOMKID'S THIGH BEING MASSAGED SOUNDBITE (Thai) SOMKID SAYING: "It's nice to come out and meet my family and eat food together." SOMKID ENTERING RING FOR FIGHT VARIOUS OF MUSICIANS PLAYING SOMKID FIGHTING IN TOURNAMENT (IN BLUE SHORTS) SPECTATORS FIGHT CROWD CHEERING SOMKID WINNING CROWD CLAPPING SOUNDBITE (Thai) SOMKID SAYING: "I was up to the standard." QUESTION: "What are your hopes?" SOMKID: "I want to be a champion." TWO MEN FIGHTING Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 24th July 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: KHON KAEN, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAD877LET1XCOTPMMKMW0RFDBZE
- Story Text: A Thai prison has developed a spearhead project that allows inmates to train in traditional Muay Thai boxing and even to compete in tournaments on the other side of the wall.
Two years ago, under the guidance of trainer Suropong Konsan, the "Honour of the Golden Star" boxing club was born.
Its members take part in tough five-hour training sessions each day, perfecting the art of traditional Muay Thai boxing.
Despite its small size, the club boasts some up and coming stars who look ready to break onto the national circuit.
But the 30 men who make up the club are all convicted criminals, their training sessions take place behind barbed wire fences, and afterwards they return to the cramped dormitories of one of Thailand's infamous high-security prisons.
Khon Khaen prison, 500 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, has over 2000 inmates - all living in a few overcrowded rooms.
It has only basic facilities, and little chance for recreational activities or exercise.
Suropong decided to start up the boxing club to provide an activity for inmates who show good behaviour, but he insists on running the club to the strictest standards. The training is vigorous, and participants are expected to commit wholeheartedly.
Despite its tiny budget, and having to fit training around a rigorous prison routine, so far the project has been a success. Four boxers have reached the level where they are permitted to leave the prison twice a month to take part in tournaments across the country.
"They are as good as professionals," said Suropong. "They can compete with anyone on the circuit with their levels of skill and stamina. They enter lots of competitions and bring back lots of trophies."
Prison warden Prayat Intarasongkroh is proud of the project - saying it gives inmates skills that will benefit them in life on the outside.
"We want the boxers that we train to be like real professionals," he said. "If we had a champion here it would be my proudest moment. The best thing I've done is to encourage a professional attitude that will prepare them for society."
20-year-old Somkid Pengloy has served 14 months of a 42-month sentence in the prison. He was allowed to join the club after meeting its "good behaviour" criteria, and has since become one of its stars.
Twice a month he is allowed outside to compete in local competitions. For Somkid, it is a chance to spend time with his mother and his girlfriend who always come to watch - a taste of normality. At Khon Kaen, most prisoners are only allowed two visits per month.
"It's nice to come out and meet my family and eat food together," said Domkid.
But these tournaments can also be very lucrative, both for the prisoners and the boxing club. At a local level, boxers will be paid approximately 2,500 baht (60 US dollars) a fight.
The real money gets made in the highly-developed betting system that plays a pivotal role in Thailand's Muay Thai scene. By fighting, Somkid can still provide for his family while he is serving his sentence.
After his win here, his family took home a pot of 20,000 baht (480.2 USD) - a significant amount in a country where the average monthly wage is just under 7,000 baht (168.1 USD).
Somkid, who had only done a little boxing before being sent to prison, now dreams of becoming a successful professional when he gets out.
"I want to be a champion," he said after his winning match.
At the top end of the game, boxers can make up to 300,000 baht (7,203 USD) per match.
But for now, Somkid's successes can only be temporary.
Tonight, he will be back behind the bars of Khon Kaen. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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