Rescue Workers Clash in Chiang Mai Hospital Over Territorial Dispute

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A heated confrontation between two rescue teams in Chiang Mai has shocked the local community, with one team allegedly brandishing a metal pipe in a threatening manner during an altercation at a hospital. The dispute reportedly stemmed from overlapping responsibilities in transporting injured or deceased individuals, as a newly established rescue team entered the area without being integrated into the official local emergency response system.

 

The incident occurred following the death of a foreign national in Saraphi District, Chiang Mai. Police from Saraphi Police Station initially contacted Ruamjai Rescue Foundation to collect the body and transport it to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. However, tensions erupted when another rescue team, reportedly from outside the Chiang Mai system, intervened and transported the body ahead of Ruamjai’s arrival.

 

According to reports, the vehicles of both rescue teams converged at the hospital, where a verbal altercation escalated. Pictures shows one member of the non-local team allegedly blocking a narrow road with their vehicle, prompting accusations of obstructing access. The situation deteriorated further when a member of the same team reportedly wielded a metal pipe and attempted to intimidate the opposing group by reaching into their rescue vehicle.

 

A representative from the victimised rescue team stated that the aggressors were a newly established unit from another province. “They are not officially part of Chiang Mai’s emergency medical response system and have no assigned jurisdiction here. Instead, they operate freely across areas, which has caused confusion and conflict,” the representative explained.

 

In response to the incident, the affected rescue team has consulted a lawyer and plans to file formal charges against the aggressors at Phuping Police Station. They have also compiled video evidence to support their case.

 

The Chiang Mai Rescue Association confirmed the sequence of events, noting that the non-local team had entered Chiang Mai without proper registration in the province’s emergency network. “This incident reflects a lack of coordination and accountability. Such unauthorised operations disrupt the established emergency response framework,” a spokesperson said.

 

The incident highlights a growing issue in Chiang Mai, as unauthorised rescue teams from other regions increasingly encroach upon established rescue zones. Authorities have urged all involved parties to comply with official registration and coordination protocols to prevent further conflicts.

 

-- 2024-12-28

 

 

[edwinchester]

Somebody crashed into the back of our car Christmas Eve whilst we were waiting at a set of traffic lights. Three different rescue teams turned up within minutes before even the police got there even though there were no injuries.

[Grumpy one]

Reminds me of Sydney tow truck drivers during the 60's and 70's

Although their fighting was over dead cars  

[jcmj]

Doesn’t give the local emergency responders the right to cause disruption at the hospital. Should have just reported it and went after the company. Threats and abuse seem to be the only way they decide to act. But hey TIT

[Scouse123]

Is there a financial reason for this altercation?

 

I thought all these guys were volunteers?

[VillageIdiot]

I've thought the very same thing about similar incidents in Bangkok.

There have been accident scenes where dead and dykng victims lay in the street while these guys duke it out over who gets to "rescue" them.

"Money is the root of all evil" goes the old chestnut, often prefaced by "Lack of..."

Maybe there is a financial aspect here.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Somebody crashed into the back of our car Christmas Eve whilst we were waiting at a set of traffic lights. Three different rescue teams turned up within minutes before even the police got there even though there were no injuries.

That's pro-active.

[OneManShow]

2 hours ago, Grumpy one said:

Reminds me of Sydney tow truck drivers during the 60's and 70's

Although their fighting was over dead cars  

I was a tow truck driver (AAA) in LA in late 80s when I was a university student. Sometimes 4 or 5 arrived at the same time from different stations. 😂 sometimes before ambulances and police, but never fought over territories. It was all clear who will be in charge. 

[Briggsy]

They were shooting each other in Bangkok in the late 90's. Metal stick, pff!

[Jerry777]

Too many of them in Chiang Mai, driving around empty with sirens blasting.

[scottiejohn]

24 minutes ago, Jerry777 said:

Too many of them in Chiang Mai, driving around empty with sirens blasting.

How do you know they are empty?

[scottiejohn]

3 hours ago, Briggsy said:

They were shooting each other in Bangkok in the late 90's. Metal stick, pff!

Who were doing what to who with what?

[Briggsy]

Just now, scottiejohn said:

Who were doing what to who with what?

The corpse collecting / accident attending / wannabe action hero foundation lads working for Poh Teck Tung and Ruam Katanyu were shooting at each other in a ongoing turf war often somewhere between Minburi and Bangkapi where the unofficial border was. They used guns. Some of them died.

[BangkokReady]

5 hours ago, VillageIdiot said:

"Money is the root of all evil" goes the old chestnut, often prefaced by "Lack of..."

 

*Love of

[Captain Flack]

A troll post and replies have been removed, to stop any bickering.

 

[TheFishman1]

I think they get so much pay for each one they delivered to the hospital TIT

[cardinalblue]

Primitive behavior - greed over caring 

[watchcat]

On 12/28/2024 at 5:16 AM, Scouse123 said:

I thought all these guys were volunteers?

 

They are not.

[Scouse123]

7 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

They are not.

I see it now.

 

Becoming pretty obvious!

 

It's not about caring for the injured, it's a turf war for transporting the dead and dying, for whatever ' fees ' they charge.

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

I see it now.

 

Becoming pretty obvious!

 

It's not about caring for the injured, it's a turf war for transporting the dead and dying, for whatever ' fees ' they charge.

 

Yep.. thats always been the case...   this is where their nickname 'the body snatchers' comes from.... 

 

 

Under the 'veneer' of being first responders, these 'gangs' are highlight territorial, yet they play in the 'grey area' of doing some good, but also are highly protective of their 'turf'...  

 

There are numerous stories of them racing to the scene of an accident to get ahead of other 'rescue foundations' and cause accidents along the way...  there are numerous stories of them fighting over turf.

 

 

They operated in the void created by a lack of an ambulance service because health care here is a business. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[impulse]

6 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I see it now.

 

Becoming pretty obvious!

 

It's not about caring for the injured, it's a turf war for transporting the dead and dying, for whatever ' fees ' they charge.

 

I think that goes a long way to explaining why they don't get the luv from Thai motorists that ambulances get back in the nanny state. 

 

Everyone knows that there's a real high probability that they're racing each other to the scene so they can beat the 4 other ambulances racing them, and a low probability that they're actually hauling a patient.