Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
The Week Logo
Subscribe & SaveSubscribeSubscribe to The Week magazine and save.
Give a GiftGive a Gift
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Business
  • Speed Reads
  • Cartoons
    • Tech
    • Photos
    • Puzzles
    • Books
    • Instant Opinion
    • Pros and Cons
    • Where They Stand
  • Magazine
  • Newsletters
Skip advert

The life of a transgender boxer in Thailand

Meet Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk

Picture of Elianna Spitzer
by Elianna Spitzer
January 4, 2018

Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk is a champion Thai boxer who has racked up more than 150 wins, 30 of which have been knockouts.
Rose is also transgender. Born Somros Polchareon, Rose identified as a woman at a young age.

Skip advert
Skip advert
trans boxer

Muay Thai boxer Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk (right) lands a blow during a boxing match at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok.

July 2017.

She may look different than her male competitors in the ring, wearing a sports bra, red lipstick, and braids. But Rose is a formidable Muay Thai boxer.

trans boxer

Rose has her hand wrapped in preparation for a boxing match.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Muay Thai is a boxing style that allows competitors to use every part of their body except their head to attack an opponent. The full contact sport runs in the family — Rose and her twin brother were actually named after a famous pair of Thai boxing brothers.

Rose, who is in her early 20s, was mesmerized by the sport at an early age. She began learning fighting techniques from her uncle when she was 8 and entered a local boxing match the same year. Rose quickly outshined her siblings and becoming a local star.

When she was 13, Rose realized she was attracted to boys. "It wasn't hard for me to recognize what I am," Rose told the Bangkok Post in 2015. She soon matched her looks to her gender identity, but refused to give up boxing.

Skip advert
trans boxer

Rose trains at a gym in Buriram province, northeast Thailand.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

In Thailand, many transgender people feel they are treated as second-class citizens. There is also a stigma against transgender boxers. Opponents in rural towns often refuse to fight Rose.

"They would say they didn't want to fight with a gay person, as it would be embarrassing if they won or lost," she told Reuters. "I still face those insults, but I don't care about them."

In 2017, after winning half of her 300 fights, Rose achieved one of the highest honors in Muay Thai: being asked to compete in the world famous Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok. In June 2017 she became the first transgender boxer to fight in that venerable ring. She was an immediate crowd favorite, garnering two consecutive wins.

"Being a transgender doesn't mean that we're weak," she said. "We can achieve anything as well."

Below, step into the ring with this boundary-pushing, butt-kicking champion boxer.

Skip advert
trans boxer

Rose prepares for a day of training at a gym in Buriram province.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Skip advert
trans boxer

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

transgender boxer

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Skip advert
Skip advert
trans boxer

Rose shares a meal with family members at her home in Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, in northeast Thailand. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Rose shaves her legs at the Baan Charoensuk gym in Chachoengsao province, south-central Thailand.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Skip advert

Rose waits to be weighed before a match at Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Skip advert

Trainers massage Rose before a match at Rajadamnern Stadium.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Skip advert

Rose kicks an opponent during a match at Rajadamnern Stadium.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Rose raises her arm victoriously after winning a boxing match at Rajadamnern Stadium.

(REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Skip advert
Skip advert
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email
  • World

Recommended

Russia hits Kyiv with missile strikes as G7 leaders meet in Germany
A destroyed apartment building in Kyiv.
happening in ukraine

Russia hits Kyiv with missile strikes as G7 leaders meet in Germany

6 dead, 200 injured in Colombia after stadium stands collapse during bullfight
Collapsed stands in El Espinal, Colombia.
under investigation

6 dead, 200 injured in Colombia after stadium stands collapse during bullfight

10 things you need to know today: June 26, 2022
Joe Biden and Jill Biden
Daily briefing

10 things you need to know today: June 26, 2022

Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia
Smoke rising from Sievierodonetsk
russian victory

Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia

Mass shooting at Norway gay club leaves 2 dead, 21 injured
Memorial for victims of Oslo shooting
islamist connection suspected

Mass shooting at Norway gay club leaves 2 dead, 21 injured

10 things you need to know today: June 25, 2022
Pro-life protesters celebrating outside the Supreme Court
Daily briefing

10 things you need to know today: June 25, 2022

What's going on with Kaliningrad?
Kaliningrad.
Briefing

What's going on with Kaliningrad?

European Union grants Ukraine candidate status
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
the first step

European Union grants Ukraine candidate status

Most Popular

What we pay for when we pay for a gallon of gas
Money.
Briefing

What we pay for when we pay for a gallon of gas

Pfizer says Omicron vaccines produce stronger immune response
Man walking past Pfizer ad
another shot

Pfizer says Omicron vaccines produce stronger immune response

Can outlawing abortion infringe on religious liberties?
The Supreme Court.
Opinion

Can outlawing abortion infringe on religious liberties?

Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Kiplinger
  • The Week Junior
  • MoneyWeek
  • The Week UK
  • Subscribe
  • Subscriber Login
  • Give a gift
  • Classroom subscriptions
  • Customer Services
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Ad info
  • Newsletters
  • Privacy Preferences
  • Do Not Sell My Information

The Week™ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site at https://futureplc.com
The Week™ is a registered trade mark.
© Future US LLC, 10th floor, 1100 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. All rights reserved.

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter
Skip advert