It was not entirely clear if the so-called troublemakers, singled out for “ruining the festive Songkran atmosphere”, would have to volunteer to fight or if actual matches would be held under the publicity stunt.

The Buri Ram Songkran Carnival, held yesterday and today, features concerts, a water tunnel, parties and various entertainment activities, with the event organisers predicting that more than 100,000 people would participate in the celebrations spanning six kilometres along a section of the Buri Ram-Parkhonchai-Pattarabopit Road.

To prevent disturbances, Buri Ram police chief Chatawat Saengphetch has said officers would provide security at the site, where alcohol sales and consumption were banned.

Newin is known to stage publicity stunts at the venue targeting troublemakers every Songkran.

Inspired by this year’s popular TV show featuring masked singing performances, award-winning boxers wearing masks are meant to take on troublemakers at the event in amateur matches before the latter are turned over to the police.

There were signs warning against fistfights, which feature the threat that malefactors could be forced to box the masked fighters, posted across the entire venue.

In the past, the Buri Ram celebrations have been marred by violence and drunkenness.

Newin has previously implemented other headline-grabbing measure to curb antisocial behaviour, including last year when a temporary “morgue” – a shipping container that had been painted black – was brought to the venue to detain troublemakers at the stadium until the end of the celebrations, after which they were turned over to the police for legal action.

As part of the carnival, villagers from Satuk district decorated a 45-metre-long boat that had won a King’s cup contest and prepared four baby elephants to join a parade to march from the King Rama I monument to the I-Mobile stadium at 6pm yesterday.