Thai prisoners taught boxing to instill life skills for their release

Thai inmates are being taught boxing to equip them with life skills for their release.

Footage shows prisoners being trained in Muay Thai and international boxing at the Khon Kaen Provincial Prison on August 28.

The vocational activity involved learning how to teach the boxing basics and performing the traditional 'wai khru' ceremony paying homage to one's trainer.

The inmates were also taught how to make and decorate Muay Thai gear such as the Mongkhon or headgear, and the Pra Jiad or armband, which cost around 500 to 1,200 baht each.

Prison Commander Chak Limbut said 40 prisoners were part of the first batch trained to undergo the training. Organisers hope the skills will help to rehabilitate the convicts and give them life skills and potential jobs in the industry when they are released.

He said: 'The Department of Corrections has a policy to correct, rehabilitate, and develop the behaviour of prisoners by promoting vocational training so that they can gain skills, knowledge, and a way to support themselves and live in society normally after their sentences.

'This is to create options and opportunities for prisoners to have a career after incarceration. Muay Thai boxing can help with the rehabilitation of the inmates and help to correct their characters.'