SAMUT PRAKAN: The mother of a 13-year-old boxer mourned the loss of her son and said she was proud of him for following his dreams of fighting in the ring.
Nirand Thasako made a video call from South Korea to her family on Tuesday evening, expressing grief over the death of Anucha. She said she personally did not want to see him become a boxer.
"But I was proud of him. He followed his heart and died playing the sport he loved," she told the family during religious rites at Wat Mai Bang Plaklod in Phra Samut Chedi district.
Going by his boxing name Phetmongkol Por Peenapat, Anucha started training Muay Thai when he was eight and fought in more than 170 fights during his young career, the last one on Saturday night.
He was unconscious after being knocked out by Famai Sor Phranakhon, his head hitting the canvas. The child boxer was sent to Bang Chak Hospital in Phra Pradaeng district and then referred to Samut Prakan Hospital in Muang district, where he was pronounced dead on Monday due to a brain haemorrhage.
His parents had separated. Together with his sister and brother, Anucha lived with his uncle, Damrong, while his mother worked in South Korea. Anucha earned money for the family and his study through Muay Thai fighting.
Phetmongkol Por Peenapat, Anucha Thasako posed for pictures before an unknown fight.
The last contest was organised at a temporary stadium at Wat Klong Mon in Phra Samut Chedi by members of the Samut Prakan Provincial Administration Organisation. It was a charity event against drugs and the winners of the bouts that night received trophies from Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who did not come to watch.
Gen Prawit said on Wednesday he was saddened by the loss and urged more safety measures for all kinds of sports.
His uncle, who was the boy's trainer until the final bout, reaffirmed his intention not to pursue legal action against the organisers as he was certain the death was accidental. But he called for better refereeing and safety measures for child boxers under 15. "They should be required to wear protective gear."
Deputy police spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said investigators are questioning witnesses before concluding whether charges would be laid against the organisers for careless actions leading to the death of others.
His friends in Mathayom 1 and other classes at Wat Mai Bang Pla Kold School attended the chanting ceremony at the temple on Tuesday. They said Anucha was quiet and excelled in boxing.
Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat was determined to push a draft amendment to the Boxing Act to the cabinet for quick consideration to protect young boxers after the death of Anucha.