Few things are more satisfying to watch than bullies getting a taste of their own medicine. Particularly when it involves people who make a living out of striving to be as deadly as humanly possible when it comes to striking, also known as Muay Thai kickboxers.
At the 2014 Songkran Festival in Buriram City, Thailand, a pretty odd scene went down.
This festival, which is a way to celebrate the New Year over there, sure was full of people dancing, drinking, and enjoying themselves with their loved ones. But a surprising event was held to end the festivities.
If you figured I’m talking about Muay Thai fights, you are pretty close, but not quite there yet. Don’t get me wrong, Thai people do love their national sport – and that is a pretty big understatement – and few things thrill them more than watching two trained professional fighters go at it in the ring. Thing is, apparently they also enjoy it when one of the competitors involved is an untrained, wannabe tough guy.
See, combining alcohol and a large gathering of people is usually a recipe for disaster, and the Songkran Festival is no exception. To deal with drunken troublemakers who instigate fights and cause destruction, a local politician had an original idea, to say the least.
The politician, fed up with the previous year’s mishaps, got on stage at the beginning of the opening ceremony and stated the following: This time, whoever disrupts the festival will be forced to fight three rounds with a pro Muay Thai fighter.
I don’t know if such practice is common in Thailand but it sure was a delightful sight. I found myself rejoicing at every snapping leg kick, mean-spirited hook, or stiff right hands the Muay Thai fighters were throwing. It is easy to feel tough when the alcohol kicks in and you’re feeling like a superhero, it sure is less when you’re facing a walking killing machine!
Not surprisingly, the thugs were as pathetic in the ring as they have been outside of it. No heart. It was very satisfying watching them fall like flies and get generally smashed though.
I’m sure the troublemakers still remember the night they got in a ring with professional Muay Thai fighters to get their butt thoroughly kicked, and I hope that the memories of this rough, violent night come back to haunt them whenever they feel like acting like drunk idiots again.
