She Came From Thailand’s Biggest Slum. Now She’s One of Muay Thai’s Top Rising Stars

“Thai women can fight in Europe and different countries,” Muay Thai promoter Sombat Thaosuwan told VICE World News. “They are being promoted and are winning millions or tens of millions of baht in prize money. So stadiums in Thailand are changing their rules to be more contemporary with international standards.”

But leniency around women’s fights signifies only a partial victory. According to Sombat, women fighters receive only up to a third of what their male counterparts can earn. He says this is mostly because women’s fights are less popular and less common, attracting fewer viewers, gamblers, and ticket sales. But more women fighting at legacy venues like Rajadamnern—where some of the top titles and prizes are won—could help change that.