On Thursday night there is a controversial programme on channel 4 about children being forced into the ring at around 5 to 10 years old in the UK, to participate in Thai boxing.
The advert (commercial) shows a poor little boy screaming because he doesn't want to fight. He is about 5.
l dont know in what light this will be done, or how biased (for or against) it will be, l will watch to find out and will let you know.
l think it will be interesting.

this is sound horrible...how the government allow like this things , this is illegal

l thought the same Tarek but according to everyone at work it is not illegal. l will watch it and give you the lowdown. l hope its not too upsetting.

http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites...p=docpage_flash

Ohh poor childen...
I thought it was a program for children to be amused,not competition...
Children can practice martial arts,can't they?

The parents are the persons in charge,but who suffers quietly...children

*GOD protects ours children*

Wilko,I hope you ok

Well l watched this programme and admit l found it most disturbing.
Young children beating the poo out of each other for money doesn't seem right in our society, or anyones in fact.
Twins of 5 years old being egged on by their parents until they were in tears. The little girl gave up eventually to become a pink princess, like most 5 year old girls (and boys sometimes!!) good for her.
The older boys, 10 year olds, thought they were invincible and then cried when they lost, bless them.
l am not against children learning MAs at all. l think its teaches discipline, posture, and is good exercise but none of this was shown in the programme or, as far as l can remember, even mentioned which was sad.
lt was an eye opener though and l had to smile when one of the boys said someone at school tried to bully him so he hit on the head by accident!!


Can l just ask, is Thai boxing the same as Mauy Thai?

thank you wilko ..this is intersting

Well, I read a little of the story and back ground. I found it very disturbing as well. These parents are trying to live through their children instead of letting their children decide who they are and what they like. Very sad.

As far as MuayThai versus Thai boxing, one is "real world" self defense and the other is a sport. Thai boxing has rules that try to keep it somewhat safe and does not allow many things used for self-defense in MuayThai. It is the same with TaeKwonDo, the sport is very limiting (but still with risks).

I have seen this show, but I did click that link provided and read the shows synopsis. The show is as much about the parents as it is about the kids. Its the whole dynamic, and the show's producers will have chosen the children and parental combination that will be volatile enough and pull on the viewers emotions enough to make them want to come back and watch show after show. That is the point of it all. Shock value and then getting that hook in the viewer.

Sad though, really, to make a tv show from it. Inevitably, if things do no tstay on a hyper level of dramatic value, the families will be prompted to stir the pot in order to make for good watching. bored viewers will change the channel.

Thank you for your answer Wendygirl and l agree the parents are living through the children which is sad.

Water Falls you are right, viewing figures always seem the most important thing with this type of documentary, children always have the greatest impact, l think.

I think its sad.
I've seen many shows like this - either girls in pageants or kids acting or doing some sport. It's usually parents living vicariously through their kids. It seems to me that the parents are so dissatisfied with their own life that they push the kids to live out their dreams with no concern for what the child wants.
My daughters are involved in martial arts with me but at their own discretion. I do push practice and participation but not to the point of interrupting education and their growth in many areas which leads to a much more productive and well rounded adult.
My girls are older than these kids but they are still kids.
They are both black belts and the 13yr old is an assistant instructor while my 16yr old is much more involved in her education and is on the track to becoming an engineer (tho she hasn't decided exactly which field).

Your children sound fab Critterdee. l too would never push my two sons in such a way as this. lts not healthy.
l also wonder about those spectators who pay £35 to watch these fights. l spend all day telling children to be kind to one another. lt goes against my instincts to see mothers and fathers screaming at their children like they do!

I know Wilko - it seems so wrong to pay to see young children cage fight. It's like these adults are getting their kicks by watching children do very adult things.

From what I've red in the past, thai boxing IS a form of Muay Thai. For instance the way jaa fights is a form of Muay Thai. I think the one dvd has the basic movements of Muay Thai in them, I assume different styles would branch out but center around those movements.

Also, does anyone know how CLOSE ong bak 2 is to being done. I want it to come out so I can import the dvd when the movie finally goes to dvd over there :-p (apparently a month later....I had Tom Yum Goong from Thailand really fast on dvd)

I heard Ong Bak 2 comes out or will be finished by December 4th. I want it to hurry up and come to theaters in the US. I think Jaa's movies are best seen on the big screen. I'm gonna buy it on dvd, also, even if I see it at the movies!

I wonder if pushing these kids in this manner is healthy. I know we as parents should encourage and push our children a bit to achieve goals, but we shouldn't make our kids live out our dreams. It's not fair. I wonder what kind of personalities these kids are gonna end up with.

aw i feel so bad for the boy omg i hope someone will stop this stuff