RIghts panel calls for probe into quality of teargas

Dr Viratt Panichabhongse, a consultant with the NHRC sub-committee investigating the clashes, said after studying several images of the injured as well as the blasts that he could confirm that the tear gas used was of low quality. He was speaking at a press conference in Ramathibodi Hospital yesterday after visiting the site of clashes around Parliament.

"I don't know if the authorities know about this, and if they do, how could they use such low-quality tear gas to disperse crowds? Did they know it would cause severe injuries and even kill people? I want them to look into this," said Viratt, who is also a forensic expert with Thai Board of General Surgery and Forensic Medicine.

Meanwhile Air Vice-Marshall Vichan Piewnum of Ramathibodhi Hospital said forensic examination of 25-year-old Angkana "Bo" Radabpanyawoo's body showed that she had died from a tear-gas explosion.

"I could smell it on her body. The forensic team had to wash it several times, because we could not work with such strong vapour emanating from her body. This confirms that Angkana died from a powerful tear-gas explosion," he said.

Moreover, he added, his team could only find carbon on her body, not pieces of metal that should have been there if conventional weapons had been used. Tissue samples have been sent to the Central Institute of Forensic Science for further tests.

The husband of 45-year-old Rungthiva Thantiyom, who was reported by some newspapers to have sustained injuries from a bomb she was carrying, is calling for justice.

"It is not fair that some newspapers are reporting that my wife was carrying a bomb, when there was only some cash and her identification card in the bag," Navi said. "I don't know who gave this information to the reporter. I want justice for my wife."

Rungthiva was admitted to Rajvithi Hospital for severe injuries to her left eye and brain damage. Hospital director Dr Varunee Jinarat said the brain injury had been caused by massive pressure but the medical team could not identify the source of this pressure. After three rounds of surgery, Rungthiva was transferred to Chulalongkorn University Hospital for observation. Doctors say there is only a 5 per cent chance of her surviving.

According to the Public Health Ministry, some 478 people were injured on Tuesday, with nine having lost either a limb or fingers and toes; two have died, and 85 are still in hospital.