29-5-2024 (BANGKOK) In a bold attempt to punch up their public image, khaki-clad Thai police officers unleashed a flurry of bone-crunching right hooks, grappling moves, and devastating sweeping kicks at each other in a brutal tournament held on May 28 in Bangkok. The bouts, held at the renowned Rajadamnern Stadium, followed a recent opinion poll that revealed a mere 10 percent of the public had confidence in the Royal Thai Police.
Recognizing the need to bolster their reputation, the kingdom’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) summoned 96 of the fiercest officers to compete in a full-contact mixed martial arts tournament. Thailand, renowned for its traditional kickboxing sport Muay Thai, where fighters utilize everything from fists to elbows, shins, and knees to overcome their opponents, provided the perfect setting for this no-holds-barred event.
The Cops Combat competition saw contestants engage in three-minute bouts, employing a variety of full-contact fighting styles, from Thai kickboxing to Japanese jiu-jitsu. The winners were awarded a 5,000 baht (approximately £120) prize and the honour of subduing “the suspect” – their opponent – according to Mr Rattawut Jiamsripong, the deputy commander of the Police Training Centre and one of the main organisers.
As the smoky haze of red-and-blue neon lights illuminated the stage, two officers donning white t-shirts, khaki uniform trousers, and head guards stepped into the arena. Despite bowing politely and exchanging smiles before the bout, the bell’s ring transformed them into fierce combatants, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks as if they were up against a true criminal.
For Mr Ratchanat Hongtawee, a police officer who was defeated in an 85kg match, the experience served as a reminder of the daily confrontations he faces with suspected criminals in his line of work. “I am the first contact (with the suspect) in my line of work… and sometimes they resist arrest,” he said, adding that despite his loss, “this is definitely a good experience.”
Spectator Aek-Amorn Preeda-akkarakul, who attended to support a colleague, urged the public to maintain faith in Thailand’s police force, stating, “I want to reassure you that there are still good cops out there.”
Thai police have long been plagued by a reputation for corruption and brutality, with one high-profile case in 2022 resulting in a life sentence for an officer nicknamed “Joe Ferrari” for his love of fast cars, who was convicted of murdering a suspect through torture while attempting to extort $60,000.
The opinion poll by the National Institute of Development Administration, which found that only 10.63 percent of respondents had confidence in the police in 2024, underscored the need for such initiatives.
CIB commissioner Jirabhop Bhuridej, in a video opening the event, emphasized that the competition would encourage Thai cops to stay fit and “to serve the people,” highlighting the importance of restoring public trust in the nation’s law enforcement.
