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119573
Fri, 04/30/2010 - 20:37
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PM pledges government working to prevent threats to public
BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) – The government has acted decisively to prevent any threat and intimidation to the public, Prime Minister Abhsiit Vejjajiva asserted as he addressed the nation Friday afternoon on television after Red Shirt protesters stormed a hospital Thursday, raising concerns for the safety of hospitals near the protest site.
The prime minister made the statement as Chulalongkorn Hospital transferred patients to other hospital, while the protesters have removed bunker to open one lane of Ratchadamri Road in front of hospital to traffic.
Mr Abhisit said the government understood the concern and fear on the part of the public in reaction to the clashes between the Red Shirt protesters and security forces at Don Mueang and the Red Shirt raids into Chulalongkorn Hospital near the protest site in Ratchaprasong as some people questioned why the government let the incidents happen.
Concerning the clashes between soldiers and Red Shirt protesters at the National Memorial on Wednesday which left one soldier dead and 19 others injured, the prime minister said the security forces needed to block protesters from moving from Ratchaprasong to other locations to prevent them causing further threat and trouble to the public.
The protesters earlier set up roadblocks and created chaos outside the protest site, he said.
The law-enforcement operation was in line with the international standard however the clashes led to a loss and the government is conducting investigation to find out the fact how the loss happened.
“I assure [the public] that the government and the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation has a clear policy to prevent any threat to the public and act as necessary and proper to handle the situation. Such operations by the security forces can be expected in the future if they need to deal with a similar incident,” said Mr Abhisit.
Speaking about Thursday's incident at Chulalongkorn Hospital in which Red Shirt protesters stormed into the compound to search for soldiers, the hospital director told the government that he did not want soldiers and police officers to guard hospital as it risked causing a misunderstanding that the hospital is harbouring security forces.
"I believe that the incident was beyond the expectation of hospital officials. I do not need to condemn such an action as not only Thai society but also the world community has already condemned that,” the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, the Medical Council of Thailand and other health-related agencies condemned the Red Shirt hospital raid, saying the move violated international practice and principles of humanity during times of civil unrest. They also called for no future searches.
The prime minister assured the public that his government continued to resolve the problem not only at the main protest camp in Ratchaprasong but also other related areas.
Officials must guard areas around the protest site such as Henri Dunant Road to prevent transporting weapons into the site, which will make it more difficult to tackle the problem.
The government is trying to quickly resolve terrorism cases [occurring in the capital] which have affected national security. A suspect in the rocket propelled grenade attack near the Ministry of Defense was arrested and the interrogation of Red Shirt key figure Methee Amornwuthikul led to arrests of more suspects involved in the April 10 attack during the clash between security forces and Red Shirt protesters at Khok Wua intersection.
"I know that when an incident occurrs, people may think the government and the CRES are doing nothing. I can assure you that is not the case, that the government is not ignoring that. We cannot reveal details of the operations but there is certainly progress in easing the situation,” he said.
They government is also working on finding a political solution including using a reconciliation process in the future and the government will report more progress to the public from time to time, the prime minister said.
In other developments, the forensic team on Friday concluded that Pvt Narongrit Sala who was killed in the April 28’s clashes between security forces and Red Shirts in Don Mueang died from a gunshot wound in his head. The type of weapon cannot be identified, but it was a high velocity gunshot.
The victim was shot dead on the left side of his head from a distance, said Dr Somchai Poniameak, head of the forensic experts.
Initially, the forensic team will send its report and evidence to police and other agencies concerned. (TNA)
The prime minister made the statement as Chulalongkorn Hospital transferred patients to other hospital, while the protesters have removed bunker to open one lane of Ratchadamri Road in front of hospital to traffic.
Mr Abhisit said the government understood the concern and fear on the part of the public in reaction to the clashes between the Red Shirt protesters and security forces at Don Mueang and the Red Shirt raids into Chulalongkorn Hospital near the protest site in Ratchaprasong as some people questioned why the government let the incidents happen.
Concerning the clashes between soldiers and Red Shirt protesters at the National Memorial on Wednesday which left one soldier dead and 19 others injured, the prime minister said the security forces needed to block protesters from moving from Ratchaprasong to other locations to prevent them causing further threat and trouble to the public.
The protesters earlier set up roadblocks and created chaos outside the protest site, he said.
The law-enforcement operation was in line with the international standard however the clashes led to a loss and the government is conducting investigation to find out the fact how the loss happened.
“I assure [the public] that the government and the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation has a clear policy to prevent any threat to the public and act as necessary and proper to handle the situation. Such operations by the security forces can be expected in the future if they need to deal with a similar incident,” said Mr Abhisit.
Speaking about Thursday's incident at Chulalongkorn Hospital in which Red Shirt protesters stormed into the compound to search for soldiers, the hospital director told the government that he did not want soldiers and police officers to guard hospital as it risked causing a misunderstanding that the hospital is harbouring security forces.
"I believe that the incident was beyond the expectation of hospital officials. I do not need to condemn such an action as not only Thai society but also the world community has already condemned that,” the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, the Medical Council of Thailand and other health-related agencies condemned the Red Shirt hospital raid, saying the move violated international practice and principles of humanity during times of civil unrest. They also called for no future searches.
The prime minister assured the public that his government continued to resolve the problem not only at the main protest camp in Ratchaprasong but also other related areas.
Officials must guard areas around the protest site such as Henri Dunant Road to prevent transporting weapons into the site, which will make it more difficult to tackle the problem.
The government is trying to quickly resolve terrorism cases [occurring in the capital] which have affected national security. A suspect in the rocket propelled grenade attack near the Ministry of Defense was arrested and the interrogation of Red Shirt key figure Methee Amornwuthikul led to arrests of more suspects involved in the April 10 attack during the clash between security forces and Red Shirt protesters at Khok Wua intersection.
"I know that when an incident occurrs, people may think the government and the CRES are doing nothing. I can assure you that is not the case, that the government is not ignoring that. We cannot reveal details of the operations but there is certainly progress in easing the situation,” he said.
They government is also working on finding a political solution including using a reconciliation process in the future and the government will report more progress to the public from time to time, the prime minister said.
In other developments, the forensic team on Friday concluded that Pvt Narongrit Sala who was killed in the April 28’s clashes between security forces and Red Shirts in Don Mueang died from a gunshot wound in his head. The type of weapon cannot be identified, but it was a high velocity gunshot.
The victim was shot dead on the left side of his head from a distance, said Dr Somchai Poniameak, head of the forensic experts.
Initially, the forensic team will send its report and evidence to police and other agencies concerned. (TNA)
