Warning: graphic content follows
Myanmar anti-coup MMA fighter Phoe Thaw is still alive after being arrested in hospital and detained by the military, SCMP MMA understands.
The ONE Championship featherweight (8-2) was seriously injured in a bomb blast at his Yangon-based gym last week, suffering severe burns and lacerations all over his body. Thaw has been an outspoken critic of the military junta, protesting in the streets after it removed Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratically-elected government in a February 1 coup.
He was taken to the nearby North Okkalpa General Hospital to undergo an operation but was then abducted and taken into custody by military officials, who charged him under section 505 (a) of the Penal Code, which labels him as a “criminal” and “unlawful person” for taking part in anti-coup activities.
The military said Thaw was injured in an accident while testing a home-made bomb, but Reuters reported sources close to the 36-year-old saying a device was planted in the car park of the gym by a policeman posing as a civilian. BJPenn.com reported another source saying Thaw had been concerned after seeing people loitering and taking pictures outside his gym in the days leading up to the explosion.
Tw // Wound
Current Condition of ko Phoe Thaw MMA Fighter who got burnt by bomb blast and wrongly accused him of making hand bombs. He was arrested and detained in military hospital.
Get Well Soon, bro. #May8Coup#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/n9LfUsAkun— Bago's Spring Revolution (@SpringBago) May 8, 2021
“Bushido” – who last fought in an October 2019 loss to South Korea’s Chang Min-yoon – had been pictured during the protests holding a sign challenging army general Min Aung Hlaing to a fight. “Dare to fight inside the cage!” read his message.
There has been no update on Thaw’s condition since pictures from the military’s Myawaddy TV station were released last week showing his badly-burned body.
Tw // graphic Yangon: While MMA boxer Phoe Thaw was being under treatment for burning from bomb blast at Utopia Tower yesterday, SAC Terrorists barged in the hospital and abducted him. His whereabouts is unknown yet. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #May6Coup pic.twitter.com/hoAG0kQzDb
— Chan Myat Wint (@ChanMyatWint4) May 8, 2021
The military has continued to abduct protesters this week, while the body of arrested Myanmar poet Khet Thi was returned to his family on Monday with his organs missing, according to his wife.
Thi, whose poetry had inspired resistance to the junta, died in detention after being taken in for interrogation on Saturday.
However, SCMP MMA has learned Thaw has not died from his injuries, nor at the hands of the junta while in detention.
Asian Persuasion MMA also reported on Tuesday that Thaw had regained consciousness but is not being allowed any visitors – with anyone trying to contact him likely to be taken into custody.
Aung La N Sang – the former ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion, spoke up in defence of his fellow Burmese fighter last week.
“As long as I’ve known him, he’s a gentleman and good-hearted human being … please try not to spread fake news and hate,” N Sang wrote in an Instagram post. “The fighting that we do in the circle is nothing compared to what’s going on with the people in Myanmar right now. Stay strong and stay united.”
