Jailbird Eyes Fight For Freedom

[John K]

Jailbird eyes fight for freedom

PATHUM THANI, Thailand (Reuters) - When convicted Thai drugs dealer Samson Sor Siriporn enters the ring at the notorious "Bangkok Hilton" prison next month, her freedom as well as a world title will be on the line.

Jailed seven years ago for selling "ya ba" (crazy drug) methamphetamine pills, the 24-year-old prison pugilist could be released on parole three years early as a reward for winning the WBC light-flyweight title.

Siriporn, who will face Japan's Ayaka Miyano, says she took up boxing two years ago to forget her criminal past. She dreams of winning her freedom and opening a small shop in her home province of Lop Buri.

"I regret what I did and the pain I caused for my family, and I want to have a normal life again," she told Reuters, her face dripping with sweat after a fierce sparring session at the Women's Correctional Institute in Patham Thani, north of Bangkok.

"When I heard I may have a chance at freedom it made me even more determined to win this fight."

Siriporn's boxing prowess has earned her special treatment behind bars. While other inmates stitch garments and sacks in the sweltering heat, Siriporn spars with her coach or lifts weights in the prison courtyard.

Her diet is high in protein, carbohydrates and essential nutrients, and she sleeps in a spacious room with a handful of other privileged inmates.

A FIGHTING CHANCE

But there is little jealousy from other prisoners.

Siriporn's sparring sessions provide rare entertainment in a place where there are no televisions and music is rarely heard.

Dressed in washed-out orange fatigues, fellow inmates line up behind rusty wire fences and cheer excitedly with every punch.

"It's not so tough here because everyone is supporting me," says Siriporn, who admits her ability to fight has changed the way people see her.

"I knew it was important for me to know how to defend myself here," she says. "I had some trouble with other inmates before, but not since I took up boxing."

Regional corrections department chief Preeda Nilsiri says Siriporn is a model prisoner and has taken the unusual step of offering to reward an inmate for fighting.

"If she becomes champion, the World Boxing Council will want her to fight overseas," Preeda told Reuters on Tuesday.

"If that happens, we will look at a conditional release from prison and she can go home."

WBC Vice President Kovit Bhakdibhumi says his organization is fully behind Siriporn's bid for freedom.

"We want to show people can make good of their lives, no matter what they did in the past," he said.

"She is a good fighter, she's trained hard for this, and she deserves a chance."

[taxexile]

rewarding a convicted drug seller by early freedom for mastering a violent hobby does seem a bit strange , but 7 years inside is a long time so i hope she wins her fight.

as was said , she deserves a chance.

[Prakanong]

rewarding a convicted drug seller by early freedom for mastering a violent hobby does seem a bit strange , but 7 years inside is a long time so i hope she wins her fight.

as was said , she deserves a chance.

Plus she was only 17bwhen convicted ifshe is now only 24.

If she wins, is released and is rehabilitated with no recidivism this is an excellent move.

[jayjayjayjay]

rewarding a convicted drug seller by early freedom for mastering a violent hobby does seem a bit strange , but 7 years inside is a long time so i hope she wins her fight.

as was said , she deserves a chance.

If she wins, is released and is rehabilitated with no recidivism this is an excellent move.

That would make her an recidivist if she does, right!

I'm in her corner...... chai yo

[lazeeboy]

rewarding a convicted drug seller by early freedom for mastering a violent hobby does seem a bit strange , but 7 years inside is a long time so i hope she wins her fight.

as was said , she deserves a chance.

If she wins, is released and is rehabilitated with no recidivism this is an excellent move.

That would make her an recidivist if she does, right!

I'm in her corner...... chai yo

i remember reading something in the papers some years ago and thinking 17 must have been a mr big behind it dont think they ever caught them hopefully she now has the sense to stay way clear of this type of scum bag .everyone deserves a 2nd chance when theres not a murder or child involved in the sentence good luck to her .......

[LaoPo]

-Female- Thai prisoner boxes for freedom

A female Thai prisoner has boosted her chances of freedom by winning the world light flyweight boxing title.

Samson Sor Siriporn, a convicted drug dealer, beat Japan's Ayaka Miyano in a bout staged at the mixed Klong Prem jail, known as the "Bangkok Hilton".

Watched by dozens of prison staff, Siriporn won on points after 10 rounds in the ring, kick-starting parole proceedings for her early release.

The 24-year-old took up boxing to protect herself from violent inmates.

"I'm so happy with the way I performed today. I'm very proud. I've been in jail for a long time now, I hope this will see me released early," said Siriporn after the fight.

"When I'm free I'll carry on fighting. I want to fight all over the world."

Transvestites released from their cells for the event paraded in high heels around the ring with placards.

Rest of the article here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6523249.stm

moral of the story: if you end up in jail...start boxing...

LaoPo

[The Dan Sai Kid]

I thought that Bang Kwan was the Bangkok Hilton.

I'm sure that some of the jailbirds here will put me right!

[leisurely]

Why did the BBC feel the need to include the comment about transvestites in high heels?I am not even sure that they would be allowed high heels. Everything just reinforces the British idea that Thailandis a country of sleazy sex workers

[stagger]

Saw the report on BBC this morning.

Anybody recognise the referee?

Looked a lot like the Kiwi boxing referee Bruce McTavish who lives in the Philippines.

I had heard reprts that he had died so was surprised to see (what looked like him) holding up the winners hand at the end of the fight.

[Ritti]

Saw the fights and Samson was clearly the better,

she lacked real KO power which I am sure she will gain in time and when she is free to train daily,

Congratulations and great to see her doing something to better her life

[bangkokrick]

I thought that Bang Kwan was the Bangkok Hilton.

I'm sure that some of the jailbirds here will put me right!

I think that you are correct in that thought.

I am glad that she has a chance of release from whatever institution shes in.

[Master of the court]

rewarding a convicted drug seller by early freedom for mastering a violent hobby does seem a bit strange , but 7 years inside is a long time so i hope she wins her fight.

as was said , she deserves a chance.

If she wins, is released and is rehabilitated with no recidivism this is an excellent move.

That would make her an recidivist if she does, right!

I'm in her corner...... chai yo

After 7 years in prison........and only 24.........hmm ...I wouldnt mind to have a few rounds with her

[Nikkijah]

I agree that this girl maybe shouldn't have been put away for so long and that there may have been a 'MR BIG' BUT, I've spoken with a few people and they agree that it makes Thailand look a bit of a joke!

How can you reward a convicted drug dealer with freedom for winning a boxing match? Perhaps it was the authorities way of letting the (always)innocent party off but they really should have kept it a little less public than to let it be reported on the BBC...

Unbelievable.

[Scott]

I've known a few drug dealers that were more than capable of kicking the living sh*t out people, but they just their sentences increased, not reduced!

[Jai Dee]

Update:

Thai boxer wins title, earns parole

A Thai boxer and convicted drugs dealer is to be released from a Thai prison three years early as a reward for winning the women's WBC light-flyweight title, her promoter said.

Samson Sor Siriporn, who in April became the first boxer to win a world title while serving a jail sentence, will be paroled on June 13 so she can prepare for her next fight.

"The parole board have agreed to release her because of her success in winning the world title," promoter Choowong Toomkit told Reuters.

Siriporn, 24, was caught selling "ya ba" (crazy drug) methamphetamines, for which she received a 10-year sentence.

Under the close watch of dozens of prison guards at the notorious "Bangkok Hilton", Siriporn won a unanimous decision to beat Japan's Ayaka Miyano and take the vacant WBC belt.

Siriporn has since vowed to turn her back on her life of crime and focus on a career in the ring.

"We have more fights planned, and she is determined to remain champion," Choowong added.

Source: Reuters - 05 June 2007

[cooL_guY_corY]

Thats right! Never let those fascists hold you back!

[Gary A]

I'm sure she has worked very hard to develop her skills and I am happy to see her released early. Ten years is a long jail term for a seventeen year old girl.

[lazeeboy]

I'm sure she has worked very hard to develop her skills and I am happy to see her released early. Ten years is a long jail term for a seventeen year old girl.

she sold drugs ,which kill people ,its not right people are making her out to be a hero,

[John K]

I'm sure she has worked very hard to develop her skills and I am happy to see her released early. Ten years is a long jail term for a seventeen year old girl.

she sold drugs ,which kill people ,its not right people are making her out to be a hero,

I would hope that consideration was weighed when deciding on her fate. If her drug sales did result in a death I would agree. I don’t know the extent of what she did, it may have been very minor.

[mikethevigoman]

I agree that this girl maybe shouldn't have been put away for so long and that there may have been a 'MR BIG' BUT, I've spoken with a few people and they agree that it makes Thailand look a bit of a joke!

How can you reward a convicted drug dealer with freedom for winning a boxing match? Perhaps it was the authorities way of letting the (always)innocent party off but they really should have kept it a little less public than to let it be reported on the BBC...

Unbelievable.

Yes and no, she was young after all and probably had no goals or ambition at the age she was convicted, my experience is that if you point kids in the right direction and give them a goal they are well on the way to a better life,. on release she will ( we hope ) be set for a professional career if all goes well ,and who knows she may even fight for her country, and i for one will be cheering her on Edited June 6, 2007 by mikethevigoman