Boxing Coach Tears Up, Apologizes After Former Student Relapses

Boxing coach Johnny Hands broke down in tears and apologized to society after Amnat Ruenreung, a former world-champion boxer, returned home intoxicated and caused a scene at a temple. The incident was captured on video and shared by Facebook user Chatchawai Tumwijit, showing Amnat in a drunken state throwing a fighting ring guard in front of the temple and muttering to himself.

Johnny Hands, who had given Amnat a second chance, posted on Facebook expressing his deep disappointment. He described how he had pulled Amnat out of despair three months earlier and provided him with treatment, support, and encouragement at every turn. His own son had even cried during the rehabilitation period. Hands said he had planned to invest millions of baht in a boxing gym where Amnat could teach and earn a stable income, but decided to let him go home as a test of character.

Hands said Amnat failed the test. "He disappointed me deeply," Hands wrote, noting that Amnat relapsed in less than 24 hours. Hands apologized to society, his family, and the people of Si Racha, asking local organizations to help care for Amnat. He emphasized that he, his wife, and son had done everything they could to help lift Amnat out of hardship, and expressed that they still care for him deeply despite the setback. Hands asked for forgiveness from his heart, saying he saw his own son's face in Amnat and broke down in tears.