Soccer fans who lit flares to celebrate their team's record-breaking win in the AFF Suzuki Cup final against Indonesia are being hunted by police after complaints that they had caused damage to the image of Thai football.
Metropolitan Police chief Sanit Mahathavorn on Sunday ordered Hua Mak police to find evidence to arrest members of the group called "Ultras Thailand" who fired flares during the second leg of the regional cup final at Rajamangala National Stadium on Saturday night.
Flares were fired more than once including during the first half after Siroch Chanthong gave Thailand a 1-0 lead and after the match was over.
The War Elephants eventually won 2-0 against the Garudas for a history-making night as they are the only team in Southeast Asia to have lifted the trophy five times.
The gang used scarves and clothes to hide their faces but police will order them to be summoned for questioning once they can be identified, Pol Lt Gen Sanit said.
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) bans flares during all domestic fixtures and international competitions for safety reasons in line with the directions of the Asean Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation. Any fans ignore the order could be banned for life from entering stadiums, while the Thai team could be penalised if the FAT is found to have failed to enforce the ban.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit said those found lighting the flares violated a law on possessing of firearms and fireworks which carries a fine of 20,000 baht and a jail term from one to 10 years.
The association used strict measures to prevent flares from entering Rajamangala on Saturday, but the gang still managed to take some into the venue.