Top public health official faces probe for civil disobedience

[Cnxforever]

How can call him traitor? He just exercise his right to do civil disobedience. That anyway should bring him to immediate dismissal, given the incompatibility with government.

There's nothing so bad in the whole fact. Sure is a signal that Government is losing cohesion day after day.

yes he can exercise his right as a private person - but not use his position and tell others what they have to do!

My good Thai friend is a nurse - she finds the man disgusting! Like someone said here - health workers and hospitals are on standby to help whoever they can if things should turn ugly on Monday - they do not distinguish between shirt colors!

This official obviously takes sides - in a profession that can not taker sides! I hope he takes part in the protests in the first row and if he is injured he might just be unlucky and find a health worker who thinks like him and refuses to treat him because he wears the wrong colored shirt !

He is paid by tax money - he is not allowed to take a stance as an official! As a private person he can do whatever he wants!

[Robby nz]

There is more to it than that.

Read elsewhere and you will see that the care taker minister of health issued an order that public hospitals were not to send ambulances or medical teams to help the protesters and the Dr refused to sign it.

That's right the minister wanted to refuse the protesters who were injured the use of public hospital ambulance services.

A new low for for PT.

Wanting to refuse the public the use of public ambulances.

Now tell us who has no concern for people.

[Thai at Heart]

There is more to it than that.

Read elsewhere and you will see that the care taker minister of health issued an order that public hospitals were not to send ambulances or medical teams to help the protesters and the Dr refused to sign it.

That's right the minister wanted to refuse the protesters who were injured the use of public hospital ambulance services.

A new low for for PT.

Wanting to refuse the public the use of public ambulances.

Now tell us who has no concern for people.

It's disgusting.

There was an issue when the doctors refused to treat the reds in some hospitals the last time around.

These idiots have zero understanding of public service. They are a disgrace to their profession and Thailand. Disgrace

[Robby nz]

I suspect you misunderstood TaH.

The Dr REFUSED to sign the ministers order to FORBID ambulances and medical teams from helping

It was the minister who wanted to stop the doctors from treating the protesters.

The minister issued the order because the hospitals had already sent ambulances and teams and he wanted to stop them doing so again.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Robby nz

[geriatrickid]

instant dismissal.

Impossible. He has tenure. For reference purposes. he was appointed by the Democrats.

[Cnxforever]

There is more to it than that.

Read elsewhere and you will see that the care taker minister of health issued an order that public hospitals were not to send ambulances or medical teams to help the protesters and the Dr refused to sign it.

That's right the minister wanted to refuse the protesters who were injured the use of public hospital ambulance services.

A new low for for PT.

Wanting to refuse the public the use of public ambulances.

Now tell us who has no concern for people.

Have you seen that order? Please don't believe the yellow propaganda! Do you really think any politician anywhere in the world would be so stupid and issue such an order? In writing? The "order" would be all over the press and the internet by now.

Please don't spread "rumors" !

[geriatrickid]

Pretty sure that when the senior members of public services in the west call for colleagues to join protests and one-day strikes they aren't being 'traitors', and neither is this guy.

In this particular case, his motives are suspect. My understanding is that he started his career in Chonburi when Leekpai was PM.

He's been drawing criticism for some time. Keep in mind that this is the government official who locked horns with the rural doctors society.

The RDS made some rather harsh allegations about Dr Narong Sahamethapat. Even more confusing is that in mid December the RDS said it was participating in the protests although not supporting the PDRC.

I would call this man an opportunist., not a traitor, nor a patriot.

[Prbkk]

instant dismissal.

You've not been here long.............it's referred to as 'transfer to an inactive post'.

Yes, should be transfer to jail. Just another gravy train leech exceeding his authority

[geriatrickid]

Someone who dedicated his life to saving people is a traitor?

Have you ever done anything to benefit mankind? I'd love to hear

I think you are a tad melodramatic. The gentleman has not spent his life saving people. He's been a career bureaucrat. He's not known for research, nor for patient care. Back in 2000, he oversaw the compiling of statistics for death and injuries in Chonburi. Appreciably, a necessary activity, but hardly "saving people". My understanding is that some people criticized him for his role in dealing with the dengue fever crisis last year. (In fairness, there was lots of blame to go around, but as the permanent secretary he was accountable for the response.) I don't know if his career can be described as helping mankind, although I do recognize the importance of administrators. Their work is part of a team effort.

Edited January 11, 2014 by geriatrickid

[binjalin]

this guy is not FREE to make pronouncements on the government (his employer) he is PAID to do his job and his political stance should be demonstrated at the ballot box

[geriatrickid]

instant dismissal.

You've not been here long.............it's referred to as 'transfer to an inactive post'.

Yes, should be transfer to jail. Just another gravy train leech exceeding his authority

He hasn't been convicted of any crimes, so I think jail is excessive and inappropriate. . However, if the man has the courage of his convictions, he should resign from his post.

What I find puzzling is that this is the guy that drew criticism for his response to the handling of injuries to protestors in the November 30-December 6 protests. It's all rather puzzling. He chaired the Public Health Ministry's Medical Disaster Prevention and Alleviation Operation Center. He was the lead for the “Erawan 2” strategy and now he's backing the protestors? Very curious indeed. I wish there was a proper interview with him and the appropriate questions were asked.

[spare5]

instant dismissal.

You've not been here long.............it's referred to as 'transfer to an inactive post'.

Yes, should be transfer to jail. Just another gravy train leech exceeding his authority

Short term paint for long term gain.

Scarify one to save a million.

I hope all hospital support this brave man who is willing to speak out against evil for the common good.

I hope all hospital in Bangkok show their strength and shutdown.

People can still travel outside Bangkok for treatment.

[geriatrickid]

Short term paint for long term gain.

Scarify one to save a million.

I hope all hospital support this brave man who is willing to speak out against evil for the common good.

I hope all hospital in Bangkok show their strength and shutdown.

People can still travel outside Bangkok for treatment.

I think you have the wrong man to elevate to hero status. My reading of the news reports was that he was both vilified and denigrated by the hospital personnel during the last pay and procurement negotiations. Mind you, it can be argued that it was to be expected as it was his job and no one likes to be told no. However, I don't think those people are going to have a kumbaya moment, and forgive and forget.

[Prbkk]

He has signed on with the hypocritical oaf ...

[Maha Sarakham Marty]

There was an issue when the doctors refused to treat the reds in some hospitals the last time around.

Which was shown to be false, but hey, it's terrific propaganda.

[Thait Spot]

Good for him. When you do something that is sure to earn the full admonishment of the government - particularly this government - it is not an easy thing to do. It is called bravery. And the fact that he is not standing down is really courageous. And commendable. Civil disobedience is a right.

Certainly not a right in this case. He misused his authority to encourage others to abandon their duty to the people. Disgraceful

I see on Facebook today there are pictures of 2 large, luxury houses. One is in Khao Yai and the other in Hua Hin. They were allegedly bought on 2012 by Tarit.

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[tx22cb]

Civil servants should maintain political neutrality. It's probably written in their Civil Service Code of Conduct.

They should do their work no matter which political party happens to be in power.

This is good for the country, and good for the official him/herself.

Otherwise, politicians have the excuse to remove civil servants when they get into office - not because of competence, but because of loyalty.

If the Official dislikes the Govt because of bad Health policies or corruption in Medicine procurement, sure he should speak out. But he can't use his position to encourage civil disobedience for generic anti-PTP reasons, IMHO.

My remarks would be unchanged if a similar situation were to occur with a Democrat Govt in power.

[Thait Spot]

And an other one in clear defiance of the constitution.

CHAPTER IV

Duties of the Thai People

Section 74. A Government official, official or employee

of a Government agency, a State agency, a State enterprise or

other State official shall have a duty to act in compliance with the

law in order to protect public interests, and provide convenience

and services to the public in accordance with the good governance

principle.

In performing the duty and other acts relating to the

public, the persons under paragraph one shall be politically

impartial............

No respect for the government, no respect for the law, no respect to their own constitution

and then they talk about democracy

So, explain Tarit

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[Thait Spot]

And an other one in clear defiance of the constitution.

CHAPTER IV

Duties of the Thai People

Section 74. A Government official, official or employee

of a Government agency, a State agency, a State enterprise or

other State official shall have a duty to act in compliance with the

law in order to protect public interests, and provide convenience

and services to the public in accordance with the good governance

principle.

In performing the duty and other acts relating to the

public, the persons under paragraph one shall be politically

impartial............

No respect for the government, no respect for the law, no respect to their own constitution

and then they talk about democracy

Thais disguise their selfishness calling it Thainess.

Doctors, when voluntarily abandoning their duty to caring for patients are doing potential harm to those in need of medical assistance.

The first tenet of ethics in medicine, universally sworn and practiced is: Do not harm.

But... TIT.

Thais are not prone to recognizing their mistakes voluntarily. First they try to save face. Second, they use outlandish logic to justify their misdeeds and lastly, they are unwilling to pay for the consequences of their actions.

This is Thailand where money and power can get the best justice and protection that money can buy.

Aren't you jumping to a rather ignorant assumption that he is asking for the doctors and nurses to stop work?

He has asked the civil servants to come out

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[Robby nz]

Robby nz, on 11 Jan 2014 - 05:47, said:

There is more to it than that.

Read elsewhere and you will see that the care taker minister of health issued an order that public hospitals were not to send ambulances or medical teams to help the protesters and the Dr refused to sign it.

That's right the minister wanted to refuse the protesters who were injured the use of public hospital ambulance services.

A new low for for PT.

Wanting to refuse the public the use of public ambulances.

Now tell us who has no concern for people.

Have you seen that order? Please don't believe the yellow propaganda! Do you really think any politician anywhere in the world would be so stupid and issue such an order? In writing? The "order" would be all over the press and the internet by now.

Please don't spread "rumors" !

Read this then you will see who is spreading malicious rumors against the Doctor.

EC urges restart of poll process

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,

Pongphon Sarnsamak,

Hataikarn Treesuwan

The Nation

Numerous problems in run-up to Feb 2 election; top bureaucrat faces probe over statement calling on the govt to resign

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission yesterday suggested that the government start anew the election process because of many problems that have complicated the run-up to the February 2 polls.

The EC asked the government to call for a royal decree authorising a new election date. It noted an absence of election candidates in many constituencies. The agency also pointed to concerns expressed by the Office of the Auditor-General that if the February 2 date is maintained, it could be a waste of more than Bt3 billion.

Meanwhile, the permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry yesterday became the first high-ranking bureaucrat to be investigated by the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) for his alleged involvement in a statement calling on the government to resign.

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered CAPO to investigate senior Public Health Ministry officials, according to caretaker Minister Pradith Sinthawanarong. He said Yingluck had instructed CAPO to invite permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahamethaphat explain facts related to his political statement against her government.

"All officials must comply with laws and regulations. They violate the law if they do not work. Narong will be disciplined if he is found guilty," Pradith said.

Such discipline would be administered by CAPO, as the country is now in an abnormal situation.

Fact-finding committee

Pradith said he would also set up a fact-finding committee on Narong's actions.

"It is not proper for him to do something like this as he is a senior officer of the ministry," he said.

Narong and numerous other officials of the Public Health Ministry gathered as a group they called the "Public Health Assembly" and issue a third statement asking the caretaker government to undergo political reform before pressing ahead with the election. They also urged it to resign to pave the way for such reform.

They also announced they would not work with this government as it lacks authority to administer the country. However, they said they would still provide services for people.

"I really feel that I am being myself after I decided to join the assembly to issue this statement," Narong told the MCOT television station. "I also was not worried about my position, as I wanted to express my political standpoint that I want reforms before the election."

However, he said he would not resign and would work to provide medical services to members of the public.

After Narong issued the strong statement against the government, there was a report that other top officials of the Public Health Ministry had issued a counter-statement supporting the election scheduled for February 2, saying ministry officials should be politically neutral.

Medical Services Department director-general Dr Suphan Srithamma denied that report but said all officials must continue their jobs to provide services to people. If they want to join demonstrations, they should do so after office hours.

Meanwhile, the ministry's deputy permanent secretary, Dr Chanvit Tharathep, said health officials should follow the Civil Servants Act and maintain discipline because the election had already been endorsed by the law that designated Yingluck as caretaker prime minister.

"I think nobody should issue a statement like this in the name of [public] officials," he said. A source said there was a meeting of the top officials of all ministries on Thursday but no statements had been issued to express a political stance.

"The top officials at the meeting agreed that they must continue their jobs. If the protesters block the ministries they will move to another place to work, as they do not want to confront the protesters," the source said.

"Most of the permanent secretaries do not want to endorse the power of the People's Democratic Reform Committee as the royal decree for House dissolution is still in place. The country must [therefore] go ahead with the election" unless it is legally postponed.

No leave for health officials

Public Health Ministry officials and all government doctors have been instructed not to take leave, except sick leaves and duty tours, in preparation for extra duties during the "Bangkok shutdown" campaign by anti-government protesters starting on Monday.

In a related development, a group of university rectors yesterday called for the February 2 election to be postponed to prevent possible violence and the caretaker prime minister to be replaced by a person who is "politically neutral".

"In principle, the caretaker government should be headed by a neutral prime minister. So the current caretaker prime minister may have to be replaced," said Professor Rajata Rajatanavin, chairman of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand.

The council, which has members from 27 major state universities, convened yesterday amid rising political tension ahead of the planned siege of key parts of the capital.

Earlier yesterday, Yingluck urged the military to mediate between the People's Democratic Reform Committee and the government in a bid to resolve the political stalemate.

-- The Nation 2014-01-11

Then when you have read that go read what it says in the other paper.

Edited January 11, 2014 by Robby nz

[Thait Spot]

And who does he expect to treat the casualties of Monday or does he not care?

Maybe he is then at the frontline and help there with first aid?!

he is a permanent secretary to the minister of health, not a paramedic.

And he is encouraging doctors and nurses to Abandon their hypocratic oath (if they adhere to such a thing in Thailand) at a time when severe civil unrest is threatened. A totally irresponsible position to take

More rubbish

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[Suradit69]

And who does he expect to treat the casualties of Monday or does he not care?

While the article is a bit vague and the translation to English dubious, I don't think he's called for doctors & nurses to stop treating or caring for patients.

[Baerboxer]

instant dismissal.

Of course - how dare he speak his mind, No one should be allowed to speak ill of PTP and its glorious leaders. Their wisdom and generosity is unbounded.

Dismiss him, his family, cousins, second cousins and all their friends. And, let it be known they shall not work again.

You obviously support the utopia the Shin gang plan for Thailand, and appreciate vile dissidents like this should be thrown to starving dogs.

[Ulic]

The good Doctor should be careful what he wishes for. He may get it. Not sure how a change in

government will help the hospitals and medical establishment but we may soon find out.

[diceq]

There is more to it than that.

Read elsewhere and you will see that the care taker minister of health issued an order that public hospitals were not to send ambulances or medical teams to help the protesters and the Dr refused to sign it.

That's right the minister wanted to refuse the protesters who were injured the use of public hospital ambulance services.

A new low for for PT.

Wanting to refuse the public the use of public ambulances.

Now tell us who has no concern for people.

You believe anything you read? How about providing us with a source? Your comment is absurd and obviously not true.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I greatly admire him for his courage and willingness to publicly voice his personal convictions, and likely disgust with the current government.

But from an employment and legal perspective, he's probably shot himself in the foot (or some other bodily part) -- in particular by calling on other government employees under his management to cease performing their required duties.

I do get the feeling, from some personal acquaintances, there are are A LOT of senior civil service folks in the government who are not supporters of (or who personally oppose) the current government, for whatever reasons.

But not so many of them have gone visibly, prominently public with their views.

[diceq]

He hasn't been convicted of any crimes, so I think jail is excessive and inappropriate. . However, if the man has the courage of his convictions, he should resign from his post.

What I find puzzling is that this is the guy that drew criticism for his response to the handling of injuries to protestors in the November 30-December 6 protests. It's all rather puzzling. He chaired the Public Health Ministry's Medical Disaster Prevention and Alleviation Operation Center. He was the lead for the “Erawan 2” strategy and now he's backing the protestors? Very curious indeed. I wish there was a proper interview with him and the appropriate questions were asked.

He was probably paid dearly for what he just said. He is important to Suthep to show there is widespread discontent. But all it proves is that there is widespread corruption.

[marcusd]

instant dismissal.

I am a doctor. I have worked and held training seminars here.

I have first hand witnessed beaurocratic theft from the public health system and seen how doctors who try hard are unfairly treated by OFFICIALS because of government ineptitude, AND it has gotten worse under these tyrants professing to be Democratic.

I wish there was more I could do to assist him and I FULLY SUPPORT HIS ACTIONS relating to the rapidly decaying health system under these fools.

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[marcusd]

Good for him. When you do something that is sure to earn the full admonishment of the government - particularly this government - it is not an easy thing to do. It is called bravery. And the fact that he is not standing down is really courageous. And commendable. Civil disobedience is a right.

Certainly not a right in this case. He misused his authority to encourage others to abandon their duty to the people. Disgraceful

you are an ignoramus.

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[marcusd]

And an other one in clear defiance of the constitution.

CHAPTER IV

Duties of the Thai People

Section 74. A Government official, official or employee

of a Government agency, a State agency, a State enterprise or

other State official shall have a duty to act in compliance with the

law in order to protect public interests, and provide convenience

and services to the public in accordance with the good governance

principle.

In performing the duty and other acts relating to the

public, the persons under paragraph one shall be politically

impartial............

No respect for the government, no respect for the law, no respect to their own constitution

and then they talk about democracy

and these laws ALSO APPLY TO THE LEADERS

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