Thailand's National Police chief cracks down on hooliganism at football matches

[webfact]

National Police chief cracks down on hooliganism at football matches

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) – The National Police chief has instructed police stations to enforce tougher crowd control measures at football venues following violent clashes between fans of two rival football clubs on October 18.

Fans of two local clubs clashed after Muangthong's 3-1 home win over Singhtarua at the SCG stadium. After the incident, Singhtarua and three-time Thai Premier League champions Muangthong were each slapped with a nine-point deduction and a hefty fine of 300,000 baht, while their supporters were banned from attending three matches.

National Police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang ordered police units to plan security details ahead of major football matches, which include conducting a search for contraband goods, re-organizing parking areas, and creating a list of known youth delinquents.

Any fans found to be violating the Alcoholic Beverages Control Act by selling or consuming alcohol at the venues will be arrested at the scene. Police have deemed excessive drinking at football matches to be the leading cause of clashes between supporters of each club.


-- NNT 2014-10-30

[webfact]

THAI HOOLIGAN
Police to boost security at football matches

BANGKOK: -- Police will strengthen safety measures at major football matches following a series of violent clashes between fans of the football clubs.

Police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang instructed police to enforce tougher crowd control measures following latest clash between supporters of Muangthong and Singhtarua at SCG Stadium on October 18.

A number of fans were injured and both clubs were slapped with severe punishment.

Singhtarua and three-time Thai Premier League champions Muangthong were each slapped with a nine-point deduction and a hefty fine of Bt300,000 while their supporters were banned from attending three matches.

Police were instructed to have security details ahead of major football matches, which include conducting a search for contraband goods, re-organizing parking areas, and creating a list of known youth delinquents.

Any fans found to be violating the Alcoholic Beverages Control Act by selling or consuming alcohol at the venues will be arrested at the scene. Police have deemed excessive drinking at football matches to be the leading cause of clashes between supporters of each club.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-to-boost-security-at-football-matches-30246609.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-30

[macanello]

FFsake Hefty fine 300,000 Baht

Headline should read Thai police finally decide to do their job properly.

[jaltsc]

"Police have deemed excessive drinking at football matches to be the leading cause of clashes between supporters of each club."

From what I've seen, excessive consumption of alcohol appears to be the cause of most violence in Thailand. It is still a major problem in the west, but laws against intoxication are being enforced more strictly than in the past. It will be interesting to see how the police increase the crackdown on public intoxication here. Especially since there have been a number of violent crimes committed by intoxicated police, in and out of uniform.

[mrtoad]

FFsake Hefty fine 300,000 Baht

Headline should read Thai police finally decide to do their job properly.

That would be s first!

9 point penalty though sends out a good messsge

[Bluespunk]

I've been at games where it kicks off. All the BIB do s hide till it's over.

[mrtoad]

I've been at games where it kicks off. All the BIB do s hide till it's over.

That is what they are known for. Bunch of clowns in brown

[bangrak]

Yet another 'crackdown' by the Police, that again won't even crack a match, oh boy, yawn. Comes from the chief of Police now, not from Chalerm anymore, what else has changed? Nothing! Move on, nothing to see, yawn... How wearing only five months can work on even the best of intentions, quite disappointing to witness, yawn. But, in the end, when like Job in the Bible the Thais do like to live on a heap of manure, let them have it, tired and bored of the lot, yawn, goodnight Thailand...

[rkidlad]

I always felt with the rise of the Thai premier league that it could cause divisions in society. People becoming more passionate about their home towns than with the country as a whole.

I'd love to see some chanting at the games. Making fun of teams from Bangkok for being up their own <deleted> etc. I guess it's not in the culture..........yet?

[bkkgooner]

9 point deduction, great to see.

[ParadiseLost]

Give them weapons... Problem solves itself.

I was in Holland in 1997 when rival fans would meet in big open fields, next to motorways. Hundreds of them beating the crap out of each other.

Natural selection I think Darwin called it?

[JohnThailandJohn]

Interesting enough why people spend so much money and time "watching" games meant to be played but then to get crazy emotional and end up in fights were people get killed and maimed "watching" a game is more than I want to understand beyond knowing football stadiums should be avoided .... except in the US where they play real football

Serious though, are the Thai fans mimicking other countries with this type of idiocy or is their something about watching football that is more emotionally intense than other sports? Personally it seems like baseball to me, lots of boring stuff with an occasional interruption of something less than boring. But in baseball the fans are usually quiet during the mundane moments unless it is at a pivotal point. In soccer the fans never seem to let up the entire game no matter what the score there seems to be a nonstop roar from the crowd. Almost seems like it has more to do with waring clans facing each other than opposing fans .... almost a racist type hatred of other fans.... not based on anything but a single difference. Didn't El Salvador go to war with Honduras over a football match back in the 60s or 70s? What other sports illicit's this kind of emotion from people not actually in the game?

[ATF]

Football Hooliganism is a natural part of social development.

Another Great British Invention.

[maximillian]

Hooliganism is very common in the so called civilized western countries, so why shouldn't it be in Thailand ?

There are idiots everywhere who like to fight some kind of imaginary enemy, be it the fans of other soccer clubs or anybody else. Fighting, hurting and killing seems to be cool for some.