Prisoners are normally punished for fighting – but one jail in Thailand does just the opposite.
Klong Prem Central Prison offers inmates the chance to have their sentences reduced or even be released, by beating foreigners in fights. There’s also prize money up for grabs.
The concept is a twist on Jean-Claude Van Damme movie In Hell, where prisoners fight each other to entertain the warden.
Prisoners are given the chance to 'battle for freedom'
The bouts at the Thai prison take place at a tournament called ‘Prison Fight’, which features a ring with this title emblazoned across it.
The bizarre sense of razzamatazz is heightened by the fighters’ clothes – they wear special ‘Prison Fight’ shorts – and the cheerleaders who sometimes parade around.
The fights are watched by prison officials and huge numbers of inmates.
Brutal - An outsider (left) takes on an inmate as the referee looks on
Beating inmates in the bouts gives civilians huge bragging rights
Many of the prison fighters train everyday
A boxer warms up before stepping into the ring
Fights are presided over by prison officials
The incentive for the prisoners is obvious. Winning bouts against prisoners gives foreigners ‘epic bragging rights’.
Many of the outside fighters are very experienced, but they’re often up against inmates who train every single day and it’s the latter who win most often.
‘Prison fights are done to help the prisoners. It lets the prisoners fight so they can earn money,’ said Mr. Pek, Prison Fights coordinator.
‘They also fight to reduce the time of their sentences. To reduce their sentence and to bring honour and fame to Thailand, if they can defeat foreign fighters and fight a lot. Some of the fighters are in for drugs, robbery or murder. There are boxers doing life or 50 years. There are boxers who can never get out.’
Boxers jailed for murder are not granted freedom even if they win
Similar to the concept of Jean-Claude Van Damme's movie 'In Hell'
Prisoners are told that they bring honour to their country (if they win)
Source – http://www.coloradonewsday.com/national/44405-fighting-for-their-freedom-thai-prison-inmates-earn-parole-by-beating-foreign-kickboxers-in-brutal-tournaments-and-bringing-honour-to-their-country.html
Fighting for freedom (out of prison)…
Prisoners are normally punished for fighting – but one jail in Thailand does just the opposite.
Klong Prem Central Prison offers inmates the chance to have their sentences reduced or even be released, by beating foreigners in fights. There’s also prize money up for grabs.
The concept is a twist on Jean-Claude Van Damme movie In Hell, where prisoners fight each other to entertain the warden.
The bouts at the Thai prison take place at a tournament called ‘Prison Fight’, which features a ring with this title emblazoned across it.
The bizarre sense of razzamatazz is heightened by the fighters’ clothes – they wear special ‘Prison Fight’ shorts – and the cheerleaders who sometimes parade around.
The fights are watched by prison officials and huge numbers of inmates.
The incentive for the prisoners is obvious. Winning bouts against prisoners gives foreigners ‘epic bragging rights’.
Many of the outside fighters are very experienced, but they’re often up against inmates who train every single day and it’s the latter who win most often.
‘Prison fights are done to help the prisoners. It lets the prisoners fight so they can earn money,’ said Mr. Pek, Prison Fights coordinator.
‘They also fight to reduce the time of their sentences. To reduce their sentence and to bring honour and fame to Thailand, if they can defeat foreign fighters and fight a lot. Some of the fighters are in for drugs, robbery or murder. There are boxers doing life or 50 years. There are boxers who can never get out.’
Source – http://www.coloradonewsday.com/national/44405-fighting-for-their-freedom-thai-prison-inmates-earn-parole-by-beating-foreign-kickboxers-in-brutal-tournaments-and-bringing-honour-to-their-country.html
Transformer at Ayutthaya temple…
When children visit Wat Tha Ka Rong in Ayutthaya, they walk past exhibitions detailing local fish and cultural displays of ASEAN partners. Then they walk straight to the robot.
Although it’s not clear what was the intended educational value of the robot, which is indeed pretty sweet looking, he’s become a popular draw to local youth.
The monks have even nicknamed it “transformer,” though it’s pieced together from bits of metal and unlikely to reconfigure into anything more exciting than a robot made from bits of metal.
Children haven’t been coming to the temple, said Abbot Phra Kru Sutthipanyasophon, who hope the robot and exhibition will pull them back in.
Source:
http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1qZzRNelV5T1E9PQ==&catid=01