‘Masked Fighters’ ready to teach troublemakers a lesson at Buri Ram celebrations
By SURACHAI PIRAKSA
THE NATION

 

 

Photo by Surachai Piraksa

 

BURI RAM: -- IMITATING THE POPULAR TV show “The Masked Singers”, Buri Ram United soccer club president Newin Chidchob has fielded six veteran Muay Thai boxers under the promotion stunt “Buri Ram the Masked Fighters” who will fight in “special” boxing matches against “troublemakers” at the I-Mobile stadium in Buri Ram’s Muang district.

 

It was not entirely clear if the so-called troublemakers, singled out for “ruining the festive Songkran atmosphere”, would have to volunteer to fight or if actual matches would be held under the publicity stunt.

 

The Buri Ram Songkran Carnival, held yesterday and today, features concerts, a water tunnel, parties and various entertainment activities, with the event organisers predicting that more than 100,000 people would participate in the celebrations spanning six kilometres along a section of the Buri Ram-Parkhonchai-Pattarabopit Road. 

 

To prevent disturbances, Buri Ram police chief Chatawat Saengphetch has said officers would provide security at the site, where alcohol sales and consumption were banned. 

 

Newin is known to stage publicity stunts at the venue targeting troublemakers every Songkran. 

 

Inspired by this year’s popular TV show featuring masked singing performances, award-winning boxers wearing masks are meant to take on troublemakers at the event in amateur matches before the latter are turned over to the police. 

 

There were signs warning against fistfights, which feature the threat that malefactors could be forced to box the masked fighters, posted across the entire venue. 

 

In the past, the Buri Ram celebrations have been marred by violence and drunkenness.

 

Newin has previously implemented other headline-grabbing measure to curb antisocial behaviour, including last year when a temporary “morgue” – a shipping container that had been painted black – was brought to the venue to detain troublemakers at the stadium until the end of the celebrations, after which they were turned over to the police for legal action.

 

As part of the carnival, villagers from Satuk district decorated a 45-metre-long boat that had won a King’s cup contest and prepared four baby elephants to join a parade to march from the King Rama I monument to the I-Mobile stadium at 6pm yesterday.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30312243

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-14

Unless my eyesight deceives me, the banner says 'The Mask Fighters', not 'The Masked Fighters'.

 

Which masks will they be fighting?

Ah, this thugs yearly threats of violence and intimidation. 

 

Songkran wouldn't be the same without them. 

 

Tradition, eh...

Seems like a good idea to me !
Hope it's gonna be all 6 masked fighters against 1 Songkran troublemaker as in the Thai tradition !!

A lovely dystopian future becoming all the more real.

Unless my eyesight deceives me, the banner says 'The Mask Fighters', not 'The Masked Fighters'.
 
Which masks will they be fighting?

I wouldn't like to fight Durien !
You could cut your hands to shreds !![emoji51]

Does this mean that in a few years instead of chucking water about it will be 3 days of mob boxing and will you have the chance to spectate or will you be 'boxed' even if you don't want?

Quote

There were signs warning against fistfights, which feature the threat that malefactors could be forced to box the masked fighters, posted across the entire venue. 

Is that how it works in Thailand?

You put up some signs that you will break the law and then its allowed?

 

Time to sue Newin for all he has got and put him in jail for beating up people.

Songkran's getting real, no more water but straight up nose smashing. They should change the n at the end to m.

10 hours ago, webfact said:

will fight in “special” boxing matches against “troublemakers”

So matches will be six against one?