ID :
119838
Sun, 05/02/2010 - 17:34
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/119838
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Protesters open Ratchadamri Road beside Chulalongkorn Hospital
BANGKOK, May 2 (TNA) -- Thailand's anti-government protesters Sunday opened a section of Ratchadamri Road to facilitate intending patients to enter Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn Hospital and meet doctors, said a key protest leader.
Top Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuea said the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will open both sides of Ratchadamri Road in front of the entrance to the hospital after holding talks with Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanont earlier in the day.
Reiterating that the Red Shirt protesters have no problem with the hospital and police guarding the front of the hospital and they are trying to improve the situation as well, Mr Nattawut said the UDD would not tolerate soldiers posted inside the hospital.
Shortly after the agreement was reached, protesters in the area dismantled their barricades blocking access to the hospital’s emergency unit.
However, opening only one section of the road still does not meet the needs of Chulalongkorn Hospital director Dr Adisorn Patradul. He has demanded that protesters open Ratchadamri Road from Sala Daeng intersection to Sarasin intersection, about one kilometre away.
Dr Adisorn told Thai News Agency later that the hospital would resume full services only after the protesters dismantle heir barricades from Sala Daeng intersection to Sarasin intersection because the hospital is concerned about the safety of patients and its medical staff, said Dr Adisorn.
UDD protesters stormed the hospital Thursday night, after they suspected that armed soldiers were hiding there. No armed soldiers were found after the raid.
In-patients, including the Supreme Patriarch, were transferred to other hospitals while some were allowed to return home shortly after the raid ended.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, meanwhile, said the transfer of patients to other hospitals was decided by Chulalongkorn Hospital for the safety of the patients and not at the order of the government.
Mr Jurin said patients who were moved to government-operated hospitals are still entitled to receive full medical fee while those transferred to private hospitals will receive financial assistance from the government for charges exceeding their standard entitlement. (TNA)
Top Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuea said the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will open both sides of Ratchadamri Road in front of the entrance to the hospital after holding talks with Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-Gen Santan Chayanont earlier in the day.
Reiterating that the Red Shirt protesters have no problem with the hospital and police guarding the front of the hospital and they are trying to improve the situation as well, Mr Nattawut said the UDD would not tolerate soldiers posted inside the hospital.
Shortly after the agreement was reached, protesters in the area dismantled their barricades blocking access to the hospital’s emergency unit.
However, opening only one section of the road still does not meet the needs of Chulalongkorn Hospital director Dr Adisorn Patradul. He has demanded that protesters open Ratchadamri Road from Sala Daeng intersection to Sarasin intersection, about one kilometre away.
Dr Adisorn told Thai News Agency later that the hospital would resume full services only after the protesters dismantle heir barricades from Sala Daeng intersection to Sarasin intersection because the hospital is concerned about the safety of patients and its medical staff, said Dr Adisorn.
UDD protesters stormed the hospital Thursday night, after they suspected that armed soldiers were hiding there. No armed soldiers were found after the raid.
In-patients, including the Supreme Patriarch, were transferred to other hospitals while some were allowed to return home shortly after the raid ended.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, meanwhile, said the transfer of patients to other hospitals was decided by Chulalongkorn Hospital for the safety of the patients and not at the order of the government.
Mr Jurin said patients who were moved to government-operated hospitals are still entitled to receive full medical fee while those transferred to private hospitals will receive financial assistance from the government for charges exceeding their standard entitlement. (TNA)
