Thais mourn child boxer who died in charity fight

13-year-old's death renews calls in country to ban kids from entering ring for Muay Thai

Coach Somsak Deerujijaroen said Anucha Tasako, 13, was a clever boxer with good technique who inspired others.
Coach Somsak Deerujijaroen said Anucha Tasako, 13, was a clever boxer with good technique who inspired others. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

SAMUT PRAKAN • A child boxer who died after being hit repeatedly in the head during a Muay Thai bout was mourned yesterday alongside wreaths and his fighting shorts, as calls mount for a ban on children entering the ring.

Thirteen-year-old Anucha Tasa-ko collapsed after his opponent, who is about the same age, delivered the blows at a charity fight in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, last Saturday.

He died later of a brain haemorrhage, according to police, and relatives were grieving beside his coffin at a temple pavilion yesterday before his body was cremated.

His portrait was perched in the middle of one of many pink-and-white wreaths.

Those who knew him were sombre, but did not seek to cast blame for his death.

"I'm not mad at the referee or the other boy," his uncle Aphichati Wannaphakdi, 59, told AFP on the second day of the funeral. "It happens in sports."

Coach Somsak Deerujijaroen described Tasako as a clever boxer with good technique who inspired others.

"Other small boxers looked up to him as an idol," he added.

Thai boxing is hugely popular in the country and many fighters enter the sport at a young age in search of fame and fortune.

But the involvement of Thai youngsters - who sometimes start under 10 years of age in bouts that see kicks and elbows to the head with no protective gear - has stirred frequent criticism.

More so as the young fighters are often breadwinners from poor families and matches are subject to frenzied ringside gambling.

Smartphone footage shown by local media captured the grim moment Tasako hit the canvas, as assistants quickly rushed into the ring to help the motionless boy, who fought under the alias Phetmongkol Sor Wilaithong.

Domestic media said he had been fighting since he was eight and had competed in more than 150 bouts.

His opponent, Nitikron Sonde, took to Facebook on Tuesday to express his sorrow at the death.

"I regret it, but it is my duty to win so I can make enough money to sponsor my education," he said.

Neither fighter was wearing protective headgear.

A Bill to prevent minors below the age of 12 from taking part is under consideration and has already received fresh momentum in the aftermath of the death.

The No. 2 in Thailand's junta, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, gave his condolences and instructed the sports ministry to consider the suitability of the draft Bill, a defence ministry spokesman said in a statement yesterday.

Outrage and anger poured in as footage of the young fighter's death spread online, with some arguing that the referee could have stepped in to end it sooner.

"He could barely stand. Why didn't the referee stop the fight but let him continue to be hit until he was knocked down?" one Thai Facebook user said.

Others defended the practice of starting fighters young.

"I don't agree with the draft law to totally ban boxers who are under 12 years old because 99 per cent of the famous Thai boxers and Olympic winners began fighting when they were young," said Thai Olympic medallist Tawee Umpornmaha, 59, who described the boy's death as an accident.

"I began at 12, with more than 200 fights. The question is, do we have proper safety measures? We must give importance to safety measures, including field doctors," he said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 15, 2018, with the headline Thais mourn child boxer who died in charity fight. Subscribe