Until 2022, Thailand’s most prestigious Muay Thai boxing venues did not allow women to even touch the ring, let alone fight in them. Some still believe menstruation has the potential to “pollute” sacred spaces. But fast-shifting perceptions and new stadium rules have opened up life-changing opportunities for young female fighters — especially those from low-income backgrounds. 

One of these women is 19-year-old Cha. Like many other Thai professional fighters, Cha comes from a poor background and had a turbulent upbringing. Cha’s parents struggled with addiction throughout her life. In 2017, she and her younger brother Mek—also a Muay Thai boxer—decided to leave their parents and move in with Phichart “Lek” Phaophong, the manager of her local boxing gym. 

Lek opens his home to youth who he believes have the potential to go pro, keeping them to a strict regimen of training and school, while taking a cut from their tournament winnings to cover costs. Through competing in local tournaments, Cha has been offered a scholarship to go to university to study Sport Science, making her the first in her family to pursue undergraduate education. With her future secured, Muay Thai has come to mean everything. Shot and written for VICE World News, and produced for UNDP.