Thailand: MMA fights between police officers to improve their image – La DH/Les Sports+

The competitors faced each other in three-minute rounds, where they could use traditional Thai boxing techniques, muay thai, which allows the use of fists, elbows, shins and knees, as well as jiu- Brazilian jitsu.

The winner of each category won the sum of 5,000 bahts (125 euros), Rattawut Jiamsripong, deputy commander of the Police Training Center, explained to AFP.

But also, according to this organizer, the honor of controlling the “suspect” that is to say their opponent.

The police in Thailand are regularly criticized for their involvement in cases of murder or corruption, or their brutal arrest techniques.

Barely more than 10% of Thais say they have confidence in the police, according to a survey published in January.

“Like a day of service”

Despite his defeat in the under 85 kg category of the tournament, officer Ratchanat Hongtawee's fight remains “a good experience”, he says.

“It’s almost like a day of duty when you have to apprehend a suspect,” he told AFP. “I am the first to come into contact (with the suspects) and sometimes they resist arrest,” he explains.

When the bell signaling the start of the fight rings, the camaraderie and politeness between colleagues give way to an outburst of violence, barely mitigated by gloves and protective helmets.

“I want to assure you that there are good police officers around here,” says police officer Aek-Amorn Preeda-akkarakul, who came to encourage his colleagues from the stands.

The spectators were not the only ones able to enjoy the spectacle, the fights were also broadcast on the internet.

In 2022, the country was shocked by the “Joe Ferrari” affair, after the nickname of a corrupt former local police chief, a lover of beautiful cars, who had amassed some $37 million.

Nearly one in two Thais said they had paid a bribe to the police in the past 12 months, according to a Transparency International study published at the end of 2020.

The sporting competition must encourage police officers to stay in shape to “be at the service of the people”, assured Jirabhop Bhuridej, head of the Central Bureau of Investigation and initiator of the project, in a video broadcast at the opening of the tournament.