Tough new laws in Thailand after big student brawl

Thaksin promises crackdown after one killed and 1,175 held at pop concert

Bangkok's worst-ever student brawl at a free concert at Suan Lum Night Bazaar last week has led to the announcement of tough new measures to curb violence between gangs from rival schools.

One student was killed and 152 injured, four seriously, as violence flared between rival technical college students. More than 2,000 police were called to quell the riot, which saw a total of 1,175 youngsters detained and six charged with possessing firearms and explosives.

More than 40,000 people had turned up to watch the concert, with as many as 60,000 more disappointed fans left outside the gates after security guards decided the bazaar had reached its crowd limit. Tension flared among those left outside, and scuffles between rival school gangs quickly degenerated into a free-for-all. Police didn't regain control of the situation until after 2am.

Following a cabinet meeting this week, the Thai government announced it would direct 40 million baht (HK$7.62 million) to anti-violence measures, including setting up boot camps for brawlers, summonses for their parents and increased monitoring of problem schools.

Pitched and bloody battles between Bangkok's technical colleges have raged for decades, but last weekend's flare-up was the worst ever, and prompted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to announce a ban on further free pop concerts. Violence also flared at a free concert at Sanam Luang park around this time last year, leading to more than 1,000 arrests and the confiscation of zip guns, knives and other weapons.