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Wanchalong P.K Saenchai Gym: Sexual Harassment & Accountability in Muay Thai

On December 24th, Wanchalong P.K Saenchai Gym (Thaworn Sudchanham) posted a video in which he sexually harassed and groped women at a party. He looked into the camera as he reached out to grab the buttocks of a female server behind him. He then touched her arm to get her attention, and as she smiled awkwardly into the camera, he put his hand down her top and touched her breasts. When she covered her chest Read more

By Under the Ropes, ago

Daraek’s Sexual Harassment of Women in Muay Thai

This week, Thai fighter Daraek (Pichairat Srisuk พิชัยรัต ศรีสุข) was ousted from Revolution Muay Thai gym in Phuket for allegedly sexually harassing and blackmailing women. Gym owner and manager Tim Fisher issued a statement to the Muay Thai media requesting that they publish the story and ban him from fighting. “Daraek’s shameful behaviour is completely unacceptable and no one in the Revolution camp was aware of it. As a family man and [sic] responsible for Read more

By Under the Ropes, ago

Bangkok Abortion 2022: Making Safe Abortion Accessible in Thailand

Today is International Safe Abortion Day. Ahead of the occassion, Bangkok Abortion 2022 took place over the weekend, founded by Thai NGO TamTang. The Thai word for abortion is ‘tam taeng’. TamTang plays on this word, and translates to ‘make the way’. For the past 10 years or more, that’s what they’ve been doing for reproductive rights in Thailand. They push for policies to facilitate safe abortion services, create spaces for people who’ve had abortions, Read more

By Under the Ropes, ago

Interview for the Women Who Fight Podcast

Earlier this year, I was interviewed by Women Who Fight, which was created by London-based BJJ practitioners Shanti Gorton and Marina Mavrou. The podcast episode has now been released. Women Who Fight was created to share stories of women in combat sports, to raise awareness of the issues affecting them, and to tackle inequality. The website bio reads “We empower female fighters to take agency over their training. Our goal is to celebrate and inspire Read more

By Under the Ropes, ago

Hurts Like Hell: Netflix’s Muay Thai Series Reviewed & Explained

Hurts Like Hell is a Thai four-part series based on corruption in the Muay Thai industry, released today on Netflix. The series is a drama based on real scandals in Muay Thai, and those stories are woven into the storyline, along with commentary from real people who were involved. This includes referees, promoters, gamblers, fighters and ring doctors. In that sense, parts are filmed in the style of a docuseries. Hurts Like Hell promises to Read more

By Under the Ropes, ago

The First Women’s Fights at Lumpinee: How We Got Here and What’s Next

On Saturday 13th November, two women fought inside the Lumpinee Stadium ring for the first time. It was a groundbreaking event, since this prestigious ring has historically been a men’s-only space. Until recently, women were forbidden from even touching the ring. Welcoming women into this space signified a sea change for all female fighters. What was previously an impossible dream could now be within reach. Yet somehow, it didn’t feel as momentous as it ought Read more

By Under the Ropes, ago