Risk, reward and resilience: Why these Singapore parents send their kids to compete in Muay Thai overseas

Besides the popularity of competitions for mixed martial arts, “an increased awareness of bullying” has led parents to sign their children up for self-defence classes, Mr Teo from Prakaipetch Muay Thai Academy said.

A study conducted by the National University of Singapore and Singapore Children’s Society last year found that one in four upper primary students were victims of bullying.

Agreeing, Ms Thein said that Muay Thai is a combat sport where a fighter’s ability to do well “depends entirely on how well they've trained to be in a real fight situation”. This makes it a practical choice for anyone who wants to learn self-defence, she added.