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Angry doctors vow not to treat police, soldiers

A group of doctors vowed not to treat any policeman or soldier injured during clashes with People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators.



Their move comes one day after bloody clashes claimed two lives and injured more than 400 people on Tuesday.

Several hospitals and the Medical Council, however, were quick to point out that doctors are ethically required to treat every one, without any discrimination.

The Chulalongkorn, Rajvithi and Ramathibodi hospitals also reaffirmed yesterday that their facilities would treat all patients.

Medical Council secretarygeneral Dr Somsak Lohlekha said although doctors had the freedom to express their political opinion as citizens, they should not forget their duty to save patients' lives.

"Whoever the patients are and no matter which side they have taken, a doctor must provide emergency treatment to them," Still, Somsak reckoned that doctors could transfer patients who did not have severe symptoms to other hospitals.

In addition to Dr Thirawat Kultanant, the dean of Siriraj Hospital's medical school, said the hospital will go along to treat all patients.

"Personally, I think the statement is an expression of political opinion but does not concern healthcare service. We have to continue to provide emergency care to patients whoever they are," he said.

Dr Sutep Gonlachanvit, who works at Chulalongkorn Hospital and announced the measure to not treat policemen and soldiers who clashed with the PAD, said: "Many doctors, nurses and resident doctors from eight medical schools have agreed to this measure.

"It's a social gesture to show that we can't accept what the government and police have done."

He said the measure to not treat policemen and soldiers is not too harsh given the excessive force used against PAD demonstrators.

"There are deaths and losses of limbs. Still, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat does not show any responsibility," Sutep said. He said his group members would treat the policemen and soldiers again only after they take responsibility for what had happened.

"We don't hate the police. We just intend to nudge the police to review their action," Sutep said. He said a daughter of one of his medical lecturers lost three fingers during the clashes on Tuesday.

Sutep said his group would also hold a press conference at Chulalongkorn Hospital today to explain why so many PAD demonstrators had lost their limbs during their clashes with policemen.

"We will show the facts and truths to society," Sutep said, "After that we will march to the Royal Thai Police headquarters to demand that the police chief take responsibility.


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