Young Muay Thai is a long-term documentary project examining the lives of child fighters in Thailand, many of whom begin competing at a very young age to support their families. Muay Thai represents both a culturally revered opportunity and a significant risk—a path out of poverty that remains deeply entangled with the pressures of gambling and exploitation.
The images were made over more than a year through repeated visits to the same gyms, homes, and communities to build deep trust and access beyond the spectacle of the ring. By working closely with trainers and families, I photographed daily routines, training, and moments of vulnerability using an immersive approach grounded in long-form fieldwork. Rather than focusing solely on performance, the project seeks to reveal the broader social and emotional landscape surrounding these young fighters.
