Mongkol was speaking at Samut Prakan Hospital during a visit to a nurse and two rescue volunteers assaulted by volunteers from a rival rescue operation team while trying to help an ill person on Monday night.

The assault delayed crucial medical assistance to the patient, who died on the way to the hospital.

"The incident has highlighted the need to review the country's emergency medical system," Mongkol said.

Emergency patients needed proper help from well-trained personnel with good medical equipment, the minister said.

Currently, hospital ambulances, rescue-team volunteers and rescue teams from privately-run charities are on call to help emergency patients and accident victims.

But not all rescue-team personnel are well trained. And fights erupt at times between rival teams because some rescuers are paid when delivering patients to some private medical facilities.

"We have to prevent redundant operations and fights over emergency patients," Mongkol said.

He said the Emergency Medical Bill would require an efficient system for emergency patients including well-trained rescuers, well-equipped ambulances and penalties against medical facilities that refuse to provide emergency treatment.

"We plan to table the bill before the Cabinet on April 10," Mongkol said.