Fighting for a pittance

Muay Thai (Thai boxing), the national sport of Thailand, is one of the toughest martial arts in the world. For many people, it secures their livelihood, as it is normal that children fight for tourists and locals for betting purposes. A minimum age for the fighters does not exist. For a pittance, they reach their mental and physical limits two or three times a month with boxing matches. Only a few become a professional boxing idol and earn a lot of money. At the age of 25 their career is usually over.

Sandra Hoyn (b. 1976) is an independent photojournalist based in Hamburg, Germany. She studied photography at the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, graduating in 2005. She started working for magazines, NGOs and on her personal photo projects, focusing on social, environmental and human rights issues.