The end of Thongchai Tor Silachai’s professional kickboxing career (in red trunks)may be good news for the Corrections Department. The Muay Thai fighter was arrested for possession of 85 methamphetamine pills, only days before his next professional bout.

He admitted to police that the decline in prize money from boxing played a part in his decision to make some extra money by selling the drug to young people in the northeastern province.

The man is a Muay Thai legend with 5 Lumpini title’s, one Ratchadamneon title and one WMTC world title and saw him crowned boxer of the year for 2001. .He is remembered for Breaking a thigh bone in an opponents leg, with a huge low round kick.

His career came to an end on Thursday. But while his professional boxing career may be over, an opportunity lies ahead for him to redeem his reputation.

Corrections Department chief wants Thongchai to become a trainer and work with other prisoners and former inmates who want to change their lives and become boxers.

‘’The department has a policy of utilising skilled prisoners for the benefit of their fellow inmates,'’ he said.

In Thongchai’s case, Mr Wanchai said he is confident his presence in the prison will lure other inmates to take up boxing and boost the popularity of the department’s boxing camp.

The department already turned female inmate Siriporn Thaveesuk into a star after she won the WBC light flyweight title, and now her story is set to become a Hollywood film.

The department may now produce more champions with the experienced Thongchai as a trainer.

Well, this guy shouldn’t be getting any special privileges. He is a drug peddler, a person who makes young people become criminals and enter a life of crime and at times commit murder. He is one of the people who make your son or daughter head down a dark path where they get lost and most will never find their way back.

He is considered a celebrity and should be setting examples not taking advantage of the position he is in where kids approach him for an autograph or maybe even advice. Instead of advice he is giving them poison that will affect them forever. He is despicable.

He should be put to work in a laundry or maybe a kitchen, some menial job like that. He is a criminal and shouldn’t be able to do what he loves’ being Muay Thai. Prison is meant to be a punishment not a holiday camp.

Of course the Correctional Department can see stars and the warden has his name in lights and in the headings of newspapers. Okay the idea of him helping other kids or men in jail is a great idea but maybe not through teaching kick boxing.

The Correction Department could make him go out and do awareness campaigns at schools and give talks about the effect drugs have on people. He can talk about the bad things drugs have brought to his life. So instead of him helping criminals he could prevent kids and young teens turning to a life of crime.

I believe prevention is the best idea here. A person who is known throughout Thailand can use his status to change people’s lives. Even if he changes just one person’s life, changes the fork in the road the person was going to take, that fork being drugs and a life of unknown. The money spent and also his redemption will all be worth it.