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MP Versus PM: Lawmaker Challenges PM Prayut To A Muay Thai Duel Over Covid-19 ‘Mishandling’

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Lawmaker challenges Prayut to a kick-boxing match

It’s almost been two years since the pandemic hit the Kingdom. While Thailand has been doing its best to handle the Covid-19 situation, the light at the end of the tunnel seems to have been shifting further and further away over these past couple months.

While one blames it on the ever-mutating Covid-19 virus, others have taken to the streets with posters and signs to call out the “incompetence” of the current government.

Amidst the never-ending waves of protests these days, one act of criticism stands out: Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, a member of the parliament has proposed that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha join him in a Muay Thai duel. If he wins, PM Prayut must resign from his position as the prime minister.

Here’s what the challenge entails as well as the responses.

More Prayut-related content:

MP will use only one hand in the Muay Thai challenge with Prayut

On 20th August 2021, Mongkolkit Suksintharanon – a lawmaker and leader of the Thai Civilised Political Party – challenged PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to a Muay Thai match on Facebook.

With water canons and rubber bullets currently being used to disperse protests, he believes that this hand-to-hand combat fight would be a “bloodless” way to settle the country’s ongoing disputes, and is volunteering to represent the people in this (un)likely fight.

challenge post
The challenge post
Screenshot: Mongkolkit Suksintharanon

While we’re not sure if Mr. Suksintharanon is being serious or not, he did lay out some ground rules:

  1. A bare-knuckle fight with hands and feet wrapped in Muay Thai cloth
  2. Since the PM is 67 years old and and the MP is 40 (but within the same weight class), Mr. Suksintharanon will compromise by fighting only with his right hand.
    1. The prime minister is permitted to use both hands and feet.
  3. They will compete in three 3-minute rounds of fighting
  4. If the PM wins, Mr. Suksintharanon will resign from the parliament. But if the MP wins, Prayut must resign immediately.
  5. If the prime minister rejects the challenge, he will be deemed “unmanly” as he was a former commanding general and thereby should just resign.
  6. The fight will take place at Lumpini Boxing Ring
  7. Prayut has 10 days to respond to the challenge
  8. No surrogate or representative will be accepted

trainer search post
A day later, he also posted searching for a Muay Thai trainer and provided his Line ID.
Screenshot: Mongkolkit Suksintharanon

According to his interview with VICE World News, Mr. Suksintharanon doesn’t have any “beef” with the prime minister. He merely sees it as a matter of “responsibility” and is doing it for the sake of the people.

Voices of disagreement from other members of politics

Mr. Suksintharanon’s post seems to be well-received among Thai netizens, with many cheering on him and some vowing to pray for him for 3 days straight – if Prayut happens to accept the challenge.

However, a few members of the politics don’t seem to see in the same light.

The advisor for PM Prayut, for example, commented that the proposal was – in short – injudicious and thought it was pure luck that allowed Mr. Suksintharanon to be elected as a member of the parliament, as per The Thaiger.

On the other hand, the ruling Palang Pracharat Party’s MP stated that the “boxing dare” could be considered an act of defamation and therefor a violation of a law, as it pertains to the PM’s safety.

While it looks like Mr. Suksintharanon may be facing potential consequences, he himself remains casual about it – confirming that it’s a simple sports duel. Thus, not breaking the code of ethics.

Not his first ‘unusual’ proposal

As of now, PM Prayut hasn’t returned the MP’s challenge call – his response period has run down to less than a week.

Mr. Suksintharanon, however, isn’t backing down and has been posting pictures and videos of him working his uppercuts and kicks at a local boxing gym.

mp trains boxing
Image credit: Mongkolkit Suksintharanon

For those who may not know, this isn’t his first rodeo in making waves across media. The MP is known to have publicly taking a stance for the legalisation of things such as gambling, prostitution, and even sex toys.

Advocating for the masses in a creative manner

Mr. Suksintharanon’s proposals may not be entirely practical and sometimes bizarre, but we can give him a clap for attempting to address the country’s current issues in a creative way. Plus, he’s giving the public a little something to smile about during the pandemic.

If you’re interested to see where this is going, follow MP Mongkolkit on Facebook for daily updates and developments, including Covid-19 news.

What do you think about the MP’s boxing challenge? Share your opinions with us in the comments.

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Cover image adapted from (L-R): Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, Matichon

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