Thai kickboxing, also known as Muay Thai, is a traditional part of the country's culture. Many competitors start at a young age, hoping success will lift their families out of poverty. But the recent death of a 13-year-old fighter has thrown a spotlight on the dangers. CGTN's Martin Lowe reports.

At the age of 13, Anucha Tasako was already the family breadwinner with money he earned Thai boxing. He'd been fighting since he was eight and had won thousands of dollars in child contests in the Muay Thai ring. But after a knockout at this bout in Bangkok, Anucha developed a brain hemorrhage and died. His death has shocked Thailand, where children start boxing as young as five or six. Now the sport is under review, with calls to ban children under 12 from the ring.

DR. ADISAK PLITPONKARNPIM THAI CHILD PROTECTION ALLIANCE "There is no age limit for boxing in Thailand. In fact, the boxing law contradicts the child protection law, which says children should be safeguarded. The boxing law needs to be amended."

A five-year study by a Thai university says children who box suffer head injuries that slow their mental development, but at this boxing camp, young fighters see the sport as a path to glory.

"My family is poor."

"I want to earn money for my family."

"At my age, I cannot earn money any other way."

SUTHEP SAENGNGERN JITMUANGNON TRAINING CAMP MANAGER "These children are like young plants that will grow to continue the life of Muay Thai. If we can only start training people at 15 it doesn't give them time to develop."

MARTIN LOWE BANGKOK "Boxing's supporters say fighters need to start young to learn the sport, but critics say at the very least, children should be made to wear protective headgear."

The World Muay Thai Council says boxers must be 15 to take part in professional bouts, but many children fight for so-called "rewards" rather than prize money, to get around the rule. Martin Lowe, CGTN, Bangkok.