Protesters urged to keep children away

"Children may get severe symptoms from unprecedented developments during the demonstrations," Vachira Hospital director Chaiwan Charoenchokthavee said.

As many as 15 patients aged between one to five, who suffered from tear gas used during clashes between police and People's Alliance for Democracy protesters on Tuesday, went to Vachira Hospital for treat¬ment. All of them were safe and allowed to go home. None was injured.

The parents of Nattakorn, 4, and Pitchanoot Wongchariyakasem, 5, said their daughters were exposed to tear gas while they were waiting for a bus home.

Most of the children had accompanied their parents and passed near the scenes of the clashes.

PAD supporter Sattawat Intrayut, 21 said he saw many children all day long on Tuesday, during the fatal clashes, but he did not know if any were injured. After the rally dis¬persed, he found that children yesterday were still taking part in the protest at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge.

"About 100200 children go with their parents each day to the bridge where I always join the protest," he said. "The number of little demonstrators has increased since school vacation started."

The men tried to protect children first when clashes began and they also told parents to take their young ones back home after they heard a rumour that police would crack down on the protest on Tuesday night. Some par¬ents followed the advice, but some remained at the protest site.

"In my opinion, it's good to let children go out to learn if there's no violence, but at such a critical time, I want parents to monitor the situation. If it's too dangerous for the kids, they should take them back home or find a safe place for them," Sattawat said.