Thai Public Health Ministry Bans Officials From Joining Rally

[webfact]

PUBLIC HEALTH ROW
Ministry bans officials from joining rally
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

Rural Doctors' Society chief vows to sue if stopped

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has vowed to stop its officials from joining a rally led by the Rural Doctors Society and its allies calling on the government to dismiss minister Pradit Sinthawanarong.

The demonstration is due to be held outside Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's home next week.

Meanwhile, the society's president Dr Kriangsak Watcharanukulkiat has threatened to file a lawsuit against the ministry in the Administrative Court if he is stopped from attending the rally.

Reports say that Pheu Thai Party has asked to speak to members of the Rural Doctors' Society today in a bid to prevent possible clashes as pro-government red-shirt Bangkokians are also planning to go there and protect Yingluck's home. However, the location of their meeting was not revealed.

On Tuesday, the ministry sent an official letter to all provincial public health chiefs, especially in the Northeast provinces of Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mahasarakham and Roi-Et.

The letter calls on them to prohibit officials as well as medical workers from taking leave to join the protest, which will be held from June 5 to 7.

"They should only be allowed to take leave if it is very necessary," the ministry's Division 7 inspector, Dr Apichai Mongkol said.

As per the letter, the ministry has cancelled all meetings in Bangkok scheduled for next week in order to prevent health officials from joining the demonstration.

The demonstration aims to pressure Yingluck into cancelling the Cabinet resolution that allows the Public Health Ministry to base additional allowances on the pay-for-performance or P4P scheme, as well as dismiss Pradit from his ministerial post.

The rally will be joined by a patients' network.

Khon Kaen public health office chief Dr Kimhan Yongrattanakit said he would not allow any of its officials - including Kriangsak - to take leave and join the demonstration.

"They will face disciplinary punishment if they ask for leave and are later seen joining the demonstration," he said.

Meanwhile, Kriangsak said he had already written to Kimhan asking for leave and if his leave request is rejected, he will file a lawsuit with the Administrative Court.

Kimhan, meanwhile, said he had not received Kriangsak's letter.

"If Kriangsak's leave request is not reasonable and he appears at next week's demonstration, he will face disciplinary action," he said.

The ministry's permanent-secretary Dr Narong Sahamethaphat expressed concern about a group of kidney patients who will be joining the rally, saying they will be placing themselves at risk.


-- The Nation 2013-05-30

[dcutman]

possible clashes as pro-government red-shirt Bangkokians are also planning to go there and protect Yingluck's home

No anti govt group is allowed to protest now. The Redshirt Storm Troopers will see to that.

The PTP might want to be careful with this private army theirs, even loyal dogs turn on their masters.

[AleG]

Khon Kaen public health office chief Dr Kimhan Yongrattanakit said he would not allow any of its officials - including Kriangsak - to take leave and join the demonstration.

"They will face disciplinary punishment if they ask for leave and are later seen joining the demonstration," he said.

And some were wondering why people would don a mask to protest against this government...

[MunterHunter]

Its their constitutional right to protest this, any action to prevent them from doing so infringes on this.

The officials threatening action against this group should be up in court.

[allan michaud]

PTP/Red democracy at work

[Thai at Heart]

Its their constitutional right to protest this, any action to prevent them from doing so infringes on this.

The officials threatening action against this group should be up in court.

They are all doctors, can't they just sign a sick note for all the protestors?

[Thait Spot]

What ever happened to democracy here?

[MikeOboe57]

Dear Jayboy,

let us hear your justification for this blunt display of repression.

[Baerboxer]

No such thing as democracy here. Support the government rallies welcome, protests will be quashed by any means.

This again shows the governments intollerance to any form of criticism, and desire to restrict freedoms of speech and protest. All part of removing the checks and balances.

So the red shirts will mobalize to protect Yingluck's house. Shouldn't this be the job of the RTP? How many democratic countries allow the government to have its own private army of thugs? They begin to behave more and more like Hitler's SA or Mao's Red Guards.

[gl555]

While this government is in power, you're allowed to exercise your right to protest. As long as it's not against the PTP, the Red Shirts, Thaksin or any of his cronies.

This is democracy!

[kimamey]

Why especially to Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mahasarakham and Roi-Et? There will be many government supporters there I would think or are these the areas who will suffer the most.

Also how do you send a letter 'especially' to someone. What's the difference UPPERCASE ONLY?

[Bagwan]

What ever happened to democracy here?

I'm not sure that it ever arrived.

[khunken]

What ever happened to democracy here?

I'm not sure that it ever arrived.

Well, it was slowly progressing up to 2000. It then took a dive & hasn't recovered since.

[dcutman]

Could be Red Shirt intimidation worked again.

Rural doctors call off demonstration: govt spokesman

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rural doctors decided on Thursday
to cancel their demonstration in front of Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra's house, which had originally been scheduled for June 6,
government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said.

[thaicbr]

Why especially to Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mahasarakham and Roi-Et? There will be many government supporters there I would think or are these the areas who will suffer the most.

Also how do you send a letter 'especially' to someone. What's the difference UPPERCASE ONLY?

Because that's Issan heartland and if the Doctors and Nurses SUDDENLY disappear for the day people may ask why.. And then find the truth rather than the REd blather.

This government and especially Ministers like Pradit have no idea about DEMOCRACY.

[bigbamboo]

What ever happened to democracy here?

It's locked up with Pheu Thai MP's signed resignation letters and Tarit's nuts in a safe in Dubai.

Edited May 30, 2013 by bigbamboo

[Robby nz]

Rural doctors call off demonstration: govt spokesman

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rural doctors decided on Thursday

to cancel their demonstration in front of Prime Minister Yingluck

Shinawatra's house, which had originally been scheduled for June 6,

government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said.

You forgot the last bit, they haven't called it off only postponed, it will be on again if they don't get the right answers.

He said the rural doctors would gather in front of the prime minister's house if their meeting with relevant officials on June 6 does not lead to any satisfactory result.

[dcutman]

Rural doctors call off demonstration: govt spokesman

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rural doctors decided on Thursday

to cancel their demonstration in front of Prime Minister Yingluck

Shinawatra's house, which had originally been scheduled for June 6,

government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said.

You forgot the last bit, they haven't called it off only postponed, it will be on again if they don't get the right answers.

> He said the rural doctors would gather in front of the prime minister's house if their meeting with relevant officials on June 6 does not lead to any satisfactory result.

I hope it all works out well for all.

I expect the dictators will win.