Prison Fight
Thai Department of Corrections | |
Website | www |
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Prison Fight is a controversial rehabilitation program for inmates through
The program was featured in notable media outlets such as
Mission
Since its foundation, Prison Fight gained widespread attention for its controversial concept[8] where violent inmates can reduce their sentences[14] and even earn their freedom by winning a series of Muay Thai fights against foreign fighters.[15]
The ultimate aim of the
History
The
Since then, only a handful of prisoners have managed to parlay their skill into an early release. In 2007, the imprisoned drug dealer Siriporn Taweesuk beat a Japanese boxer for the
Creation
Prison Fight is the brain-child of an international team of proponents of rehabilitation via martial arts, notably Aree Chaloisuk,[2] former director of the Klong Pai Central Prison, in Nakhon Ratchasima, two hours north of Bangkok, and of Estonian businessman Kirill Sokur.[8] The first three Prison Fight events were held in early 2013 at Klong Pai prison. In past events, Chalernpol Sawangsuk, an inmate competitor in the third event, was released shortly after his victory over British Muay Thai fighter Arran Burton.[17]
One of the main reasons the Prison Fight program has captivated the worldwide media is the slogan: "Battle for Freedom". Many believed the fights were organized as a way for prisoners to fight and secure a pardon or sentence reduction,[13] but it appears to be much more than that. Nowadays, Prison Fight established stricter rules for the inmates wishing to participate in the program. They are expected to display exemplary behavior and personal development along with their fighting skills.[9] When it comes to fighting convicts, former notable competitor Dave Leduc said to Bangkok Post : "They deserve to get my 100%," adding, "If he wins, then he earns it."[13][18][19]
Television
In 2013, in early stage of the program, Vice Fightland made a heavily shared short video on YouTube that made the world aware of the Prison Fight program in Thailand.[11][20]
In 2016, the Prison Fight program was the subject of a short documentary, titled Prison Fight, set in both Canada and Thailand.[21] The film tells the story of Sean McNabb fighting Komkit Agorn Ketnawk at Klong Pai Central Prison. Two men from opposite ends of the world with only one thing in common, the art of Muay Thai.[22][23]
In 2017, Prison Fight was featured in the
As explained in the movie,
On November 9, 2017, Prison Fight was mentioned in the Canadian documentary La Fosse aux Tigres which aired on Canal D.[28]
References
- ^ Huffington Post.
- ^ a b c Ghogomu, Mbiyimoh (19 September 2014). "The Prison in Thailand Where Inmates Fight Foreigners As Part of Their Rehab". Samui Times.
- ^ Claire Reid (21 June 2021). "Thai Prisoners Can 'Fight For Their Freedom' Via Unusual Rehabilitation Scheme". LAD Bible.
- ^ a b c d Kaplan, Michael (23 February 2017). "Inside the prison where murderers can be freed". New York Post.
- ^ Hotz, Alexander (8 October 2013). "Prison Fight! Inmates battle foreigners for freedom". Coconuts Bangkok.
- ^ Walker Van Wey (11 March 2021). "Cody Moberly's Unpredictable Rise to Infamy". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- ^ a b c d Shaer, Matthew (16 June 2018). "How Thailand's Most Notorious Prison Became a Fight Club". Men's Journal.
- ^ a b c d Lawrence, Jeremy (15 January 2014). "Ready to Rumble". Esquire.
- ^ a b c Ortiz, Kc (4 January 2014). "Thai prison fights". Aljazeera.
- ^ The Telegraph.
- ^ a b "Thai Prison Fights". Vice Fightland. 12 August 2014.
- ^ a b Von Moritz Tschermak (18 August 2014). "Muay-Thai-Kampfsport Brutal frei" [Brutal Martial Art : Muay Thai]. Die Zeit (in German).
- ^ a b c d e Arterbury, John (20 June 2014). "Prison fighters prize future over future". Bangkok Post.
- ^ Rose, Dan (18 February 2017). "New Showtime Doc Prison Fight to Feature Thailand Prisoners Fighting for Freedom". Mike Swick.
- ^ Forgan, Duncan (14 March 2014). "Prison Inmates in Thailand Fight Foreigners for Their Freedom". Time.
- ^ Beech, Hannah (24 July 2008). "Beijing Olympics: Amnat Ruenroeng". Time.
- ^ Shaer, Matthew (4 May 2017). "Freedom Fighters". United Airlines Hemispheres.
- Le Journal de Montréal.
- ^ Comtois, Martin (23 November 2015). "David Leduc de retour dans la fosse aux lions". La Presse. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- SportsGrid.
- ^ "Prison Fight Thailand - Short Documentary". Bravo Fact. 18 January 2016.
- ^ "Prison Fight Documentary". Ekran. 18 January 2016.
- ^ Caneco, Sílvia (8 May 2017). "(Spanish) Estes presos podem lutar (literalmente) pela liberdade". Visão.
- ^ a b "Showtime Sports announces original documentary "Prison fighters: 5 Rounds To Freedom"". Boxing News 24. 9 January 2017.
- ^ Hansen, Darah (10 January 2017). "Showtime Sports doc showcases "Prison Fighters"". Real Screen.
- ^ Sawitta Lefevre, Amy (18 July 2016). "Inside Thailand's Klong Pai Prison". Reuters.
- ^ "La Fosse Aux Tigres". La Fosse aux Tigres. Retrieved 6 August 2022.