A Russian tour agency based in Pattaya has apparently got together with the Department of Corrections and is charging punters considerable sums of money to watch prisoners fight each other in jail.
Under the slogan ‘Fight for Freedom’ they are advertising packaged excursions not only to see Muay Thai (Thai kick boxing) and international standard boxing, but apparently to salivate the pallets of their clientele have also added bare-knuckle boxing and blindfold boxing.
The bare-knuckle boxing is Burmese lethwei, a bit like Thai kick boxing. But even Burmese officials have insisted on gloves for quite some time.
The corny video advert from Paragon Travel, the Russian agency in Pattaya, which accompanies the internet promotion starts with this:
“Where no white man has gone before – to a real Thai prison among 6,000 prisoners, each of them sentenced to terms of 20 to 100 years.
“Prison fights. For the first time inmates will fight European boxers. Only a true champion will win his way to freedom. Prison fights! The goal is FREEDOM! “
The blurb goes on: “The main star of event is prisoner named Sirimongol Singwangcha – he has won world title in two weight divisions. His current career record is 71-2 (and 41 with KO).
“Prisoners fight their way to freedom. Three of them already received it, will anybody repeat their triumph? “
What! A man serving at least 20 years has been released for winning a fight? Does he get more points if he stabs his assailant to death?
Just joking!
But some mistake surely? Where no white man has ever been? Good heavens during the last World Cup could not Thai prisons rustle together a few international teams.
All these fights are taking place in Thailand’s jails and where women are requested to close their knees and mobile phones are banned, just in case, I guess, visitors order up their next ‘ya baa’ shipment.
What on earth is happening in Thailand? Is the Department of Corrections now chasing the tourist buck? I know people can get remission for good behaviour but this sounds a bit unfair to all the prisoners who cannot pound their colleagues to death.
Bare knuckle boxing originated in Britain. But Britain has the Marquess of Queensbury rules and he insisted on gloves, as do of course the London Prize Ring Rules.
By this century illegal bare knuckle boxing fights were being associated with the London underworld and have continued to do so until this day, though Irish gypsies stage these fights regularly.
Sometimes they come together as in “Snatch” with Brad Pitt playing the unintelligible gypsy!
Is there something someone is not telling us?
Paragon Travel Fight Website – It is based in Russia but don’t request the latest recordings of the Red Army Choir.
Whoops! This just in from Paragon. I guess a few right minded people must have had second thoughts.
Hi, we will not arrange prison fight in the future. Kindly regards, Anastasia (Ms)Manager
This is totally illegal as the only person that can grant a free pass is the King, so how are these Russians doing this crap???? its great news if your son has killed a coupler people and has a 50 year sentance and the family has money to pay a proberly Russian person to take a dive for his freedom, hell give me a million Baht I will gladly do it, so why only europeans?????? its fixed for more russian illegal money to be made.
The family pays the Russians and then bets on there son and it a free pardon, plus the organisers of the event get rich plus the prison officals,,, more Russian BS and they wonder why the Thais are protesting against them plus putting signs up out front of there rest. saying NO RUSSIANS ALLOWED,,, when will this Government learn that the criminals from behind the iron curtain are just that???? Now criminals with black money
Just got out of bed, I can't find the punchline, I know it's not April yet, I'll come back and read it again later.
Surely, this can't really be happening !!!!.
What about the person they let out already????? how many more people will this guy ,,KILL,,, two help more Russians make money,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,hello Thailand we need to stop these Russian criminals,,,NOW
TO LATE . A CERTAIN GENTLEMAN ABROAD BROUGHT THEM HERE. RUMOR HAS IT HE IS ON THE PAYROLL
It's bullshit)) guys you should read all information and only after this start to say something like this)) I know guy who fight there and it's all not looks like in your post…really different)) no mafia there) it's event of department of corrections and one promoters team (btw, not Russians) . As I know if you was there – you are very lucky because they has take turists only on first event and now it's by invitations and can be seen only in internet. Inmates not go out after fight)) it's only way to cut few years maybe…but go out can only with permision of The King!)))