Photo gallery: Bangkok inmates play in their own 'World Cup'

Inmates at Bangkok’s infamous Klong Prem Central Prison kicked off their very own international football tournament today -- World Cup 2010 Behind Bars.

Over a dozen teams, each featuring seven inmates of various nationalities imprisoned in Klong Prem, including Thais, are competing for the 'World Cup 2010 Behind Bars' tournament trophy, which will be awarded on July 10. Check out these images from today's opening games. 

Inmates from Klong Prem Central Prison dress in South Africa and Mexico football team colors and battle for the ball during the opening of the 'World Cup 2010 Behind Bars' tournament

Security guards watch over the players near the trophy during the opening game at the infamous Thai prison. According to a report in today’s Bangkok Post, the event is a collaboration between the Corrections Department, the Football Association of Thailand, the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Tourism and Sports Ministry. 

A security guard checks up on things outside the main gate at the start of the Klong Prem Central Prison 'World Cup 2010 Behind Bars' tournament. The Sports Authority of Thailand has provided coaches to train the inmates, while more than 100 prison guards are tasked with enforcing security. 

The players are shown the World Cup 2010 trophy, which will be awarded on July 10. Today's opening matches saw inmates from South Africa take on Mexico then France vs Uruguay. The next round of games will take place on June 25. 

"There are more than 10,000 prisoners of more than 90 different nationalities nationwide," Corrections Department deputy director-general Thanis Sriyapan was quoted by the Bangkok Post. "We think of sports as a way to rehabilitate and reform prisoners before they reintegrate into society.

Two similar tournaments were successfully held at Klong Prem prison to coincide with the FIFA World Cup tournaments in 2002 and 2006.

Bangkok's Bang Kwang prison has several nicknames, among them the "Bangkok Hilton" and "Big Tiger."

Inmates stand with their faces painted with the national flags of various nations including Japan and France during the Klong Prem Central Prison 'World Cup 2010 Behind Bars' tournament

The official FIFA World Cup 2010 event kicks off in South Africa tomorrow.