Blind Thai Boxer Follows His Dream

This is no ordinary boxing match.

Twenty-nine-year-old Sujet Salee is blind and, to keep things fair, his opponent has been blindfolded.

Many blind people in Thailand become masseurs or work with handicrafts, but Sujet always wanted to be a boxer like his father, and decided to pursue his dream anyway.

[Sujet Salee, Boxer]:
"When I was young, my father was a boxer, but none of my brothers took up boxing as a career. I wanted to be a boxer like my father, but I'm blind. I didn't think I could do it, but I made up my mind."

Sujet has won five consecutive matches since starting his boxing career in October last year, and his trainer says his blindness works to his advantage.

[Sirowat Somboon, Sujet's Trainer]:
"When he touched his opponent in the ring, he attacked instantly. His sense is good, which is an advantage over blind-folded boxers."

Sujet is one of 15 boxers training in a newly established boxing camp in Surin.

He earns around $46 every time he wins a match.