Catching Monkeys

Under a flyover near one of the larger slum communities in Bangkok, young children train in Thai boxing as part of a local foundation’s effort to keep them away from the drugs and criminal life that dominates the area. The children are high-spirited, full of energy and often difficult to control. One volunteer teacher described teaching them as being like “catching monkeys”. In many ways teaching children to box seems an unlikely path to keeping them away from a life of crime and drugs, but Thai boxing has a rich cultural heritage founded on discipline, and respect for teachers and other boxers. Volunteer teachers work with the children training in a sport that requires physical strength, concentration and discipline. Many of the children struggle at school and have few recreational activities. Thai boxing provides a focus and a channel for the incredible energy of the kids. The whole effort is lead by Teacher Kay, an experienced boxer and trainer. He only received a small monthly stipend most of which goes to cover his petrol costs getting to and from the training camp. As small incentives, the teachers buy the kids little snacks, or slip them some loose change at the end of training. It is their commitment to the young children that keeps them going.