In the capital city of a country renowned for its highly technical martial arts scene, amateur fighters gather regularly, promising to exchange only blood and bruises in the underground club.

While the bout resembles a particularly frenzied boxing match, the setting, surrounded by shipping containers in a poor, port neighborhood, is a far cry from the glitzy charms of Muay Thai boxing stadiums.

"Here, you don't have to know how to fight. You just need to have heart and that's it," club cofounder Chana Worasart told AFP.

The 30-year-old founded the club in 2016, partly inspired by the cult Brad Pitt movie, to allow amateur fighters to test their skills or just vent their aggression.

"I think the popularity is due to a variety of occupations and fighting styles that are different from the styles in the [professional] ring," he said.

That's certainly the appeal for 23-year-old contestant and grocery store owner Surathat Sakulchue.

"It's quite different [from traditional fights]," he told AFP, expecting to dish out and absorb punishment using all four limbs.

Plus, he added, "fighting with containers surrounding us is just fun and exciting”.

'Violence into friendship'

Unlike the movie's famous line banning fighters from talking about their club to outsiders, the Bangkok-based outfit calls itself "the ring that will change violence into friendship".

The group has become a local sensation, with a private Facebook group racking up 73,000 members as word spread of the underground matches.

Fighters are allowed to go all-out in a single 3-minute round, with neither a winner or loser declared, but the bouts aren't quite no-holds-barred.

Elbowing, grappling, throwing opponents to the ground and punches to the back of the head are strictly prohibited.

Unsurprisingly, the gatherings have not escaped the notice of the Thai police.

Authorities were alerted in 2016 to the underground matches, which allegedly violated the Boxing Act and were punishable with a one-year jail sentence and fines of up to around US$600. But despite a small police presence on occasion, the fights have continued.

Meanwhile, the club insists it is not governed by the Boxing Act, meaning organizers are not holding unsanctioned fights.

Cofounder Chana says the group is approved by the Department of Provincial Administration.

"I don't oppose the idea of turning this into legal, sanctioned fights, but at the same time, we can't lose the underground identity, so the question is, 'Where is the balance?'"

Fear, then elation

It is all a far cry from the scrappy club's beginnings, when there were no clear rules.

Now, there are fighting guidelines, screening procedures and a risk-acceptance pledge, as well as protective equipment and on-scene medical care.

"We don't ask fighters to kill each other. If you're too tired or too injured to go on, then we'll stop the fight," said Chana as another bout began.

After paying his respects with folded hands and touching gloves with his opponent, amateur fighter Ilya Ostroushchenko gets to work.

Landing a kick to his opponent's torso, Ostroushchenko bashes out a combination of punches, and a left hook to the face finally sends his opponent stumbling to the rubber mat.

As the bout finishes, the crowd enthusiastically roars "Somchai", a traditional, masculine Thai name given to the Russian fighter.

Seemingly cool and composed during the fight, 22-year-old Ostroushchenko told AFP it was nerve-wracking right before stepping into the informal ring.

"My hands shake. My knees shake also, but when I go out to the center, I feel good," he said.

Popular

Women in philanthropy: Fifi Pangestu’s leadership and vision in Bakti Barito Foundation

Philippines to endure extreme heat until mid-May

Magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes off Java island: authorities