Our hospitals are no place for political statements: Thai politics

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Our hospitals are no place for political statements
Pongphon Sarnsamak

BANGKOK: -- In a normal situation, it would be a worthy act for the Public Health Ministry and state hospitals nationwide to erect banners calling for an end to corruption and violence, but in the current political turmoil, such banners are likely to create conflict among medical workers and patients.

Banners with statements about "anti-corruption" and "stop violence" have been erected at the Public Health Ministry and at state hospitals by the Medical Workers Community Network.

The ministry's permanent secretary Dr Narong Sahametapat is a key network member and during the past few weeks has come out to oppose the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

During recent months, the Medical Workers Community Network has played a prominent role in the political arena, protesting against the government and alleged corruption. At the same time, the movement has been heavily criticised over whether it is appropriate for medical workers to use government offices and hospitals to display their political feelings.

It seems many medical workers were happy and proud when they saw Public Health Ministry buildings and hospitals covered by banners expressing their political stance. Some had taken "selfie" pictures with the banners and posted them on their social-media sites.

Meanwhile, people in other provinces such as Nakhon Sawan and Ratchaburi have rallied at the hospitals and asked medical workers to remove the banners, saying medical centres should be free from politics.

Public Health has insisted that all medical workers must provide treatment and save people's lives, no matter what political side they were on.

The network's use of government offices to express a political stance is, in fact, likely to create conflict with medical workers and patients who do not agree with them.

It may be a basic right for every person to express a political opinion, but medical workers should not use medical institutes or government offices to tell other people their personal beliefs.

In normal times, the Public Health Ministry and hospitals produce tens of thousands of banners to disseminate messages on health promotion and disease prevention.

However, during the current political turmoil, many ministry and hospital buildings have been covered by banners made by the non-governmental Medical Workers Community Network.

Recently some of the banners erected by the network were removed from the ministry's permanent secretary building.

Once the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters learned the banners had been taken down, they invaded the Public Health Ministry to find out the reason.

PDRC leader Issara Somchai was among the group who demanded to see Kamol Bandaiphet, secretary of caretaker Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong, and deputy permanent secretary Dr Chanvit Tharathep, whom they believed had instructed police to remove the banners.

Protesters shouted they had been instructed by Issara to seek an explanation from the duo. Some ministry staff joined in the protest and blew whistles.

As a result, protesters got access to the roof, re-erected the banners and, after failing to locate Kamol and Chanvit, left the building.

The Public Health Ministry was not the only place to be invaded. The private Mongkutwattana General Hospital was also attacked by unknown assailants.

It's not known if this incident was connected to the political stance of the hospital's director, but it reflected that patients could be at risk from unprecedented incidents during the political turmoil.

Medical workers have the right to express their political stance no matter what side they're on, but professionally, the expression of their political opinions should be outside the hospitals or medical institutes. They still have the responsibility to provide medical treatment to all people, no matter where they stand politically.

It would be better for the Public Health Ministry, or a group of medical workers, to erect banners - if they must - with messages promoting harmony in society, instead of creating more conflict.


-- The Nation 2014-03-18

[thesetat2013]

SO! The people in the North oppose signage stating NO to secession.. NO to corruption...Isn't freedom of expression a right of the people. Only the northerners seem to be stated as complaining to this while everyone else wants their picture taken with these banners. This makes it clear the northerners still support seperation and secession and support the PTPs misguided ideals about what democracy is.

This article speaks a lot about how the north feels about secession and corruption since the article makes no claim that the banners are directed totally to YL.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited March 18, 2014 by thesetat2013

[PepperMe]

Doesn't matter what type of building it is.... banners declaring the desire to stop corruption and violence is surely an admirable thing is it not?

Anyone opposing those banners are surely supporting corruption and violence.

Differing opinions??? You are either for it or against it. It is that simple really.

[Crushdepth]

Doesn't matter what type of building it is.... banners declaring the desire to stop corruption and violence is surely an admirable thing is it not?

Anyone opposing those banners are surely supporting corruption and violence.

Differing opinions??? You are either for it or against it. It is that simple really.

There's nothing wrong with it. Government departments all over the place do sometimes produce posters encouraging people to report corruption. One institution I visited in India had a large metal plaque affixed to the wall that said DO NOT PAY BRIBES and instructions on who to contact etc.

[djjamie]

Banners with statements about "anti-corruption" and "stop violence" have been erected

The network's use of government offices to express a political stance is, in fact, likely to create conflict with medical workers and patients who do not agree with them

Patients that don't agree with "anti corruption" and "stop violence"? So one would gather they agree with corruption and violence. If they are red shirts then they always state the DEM's are corrupt and the PDRC are violent so they should be happy with the banners. Maybe the red shirts truly understand that the PTP are the corrupt ones and the UDD are violent and take offense to that. They are the ones providing the link between the banners and politics. Through their actions they are all but admitting the PTP are corrupt and the UDD are violent.

Imagine a banner stating "We want a government that provide 30 baht health care" Is that good? Of course that one would be accepted because it is perceived to be pro government by the gullible uneducated masses. How about a banner stating "We love yingluck" That has indisputable links to politics yet I am sure the terrorist wing of the PTP won't have that taken down.

So really what the issue is is that the PTP are corrupt and the UDD are violent and the gullible terrorist wing that is forming the largest street gang in history take offense to this being so obviously realized.

In the words of a gullible terrorist supporter when referring to Suropong giving thaksin his passport back "If you don't like it take legal means to have it removed"

Simple. Don't protest. Don't intimidate. Don't threaten to kidnap the medical staff. Simply tell the police it is illegal and have the banners removed.

[chainarong]

Unless the issue directly concerns the hospital or government departments, the use of political statements should remain neutral, this is the same in most countries , these are not grounds for one to spew the political spiel , there's plenty of other avenues for this to be carried out, how would you be in hospital on a red or yellow shirt ward ,being treated for broken finger nail, both colours are enough to bring on cardiac arrest

[MGP]

Doesn't matter what type of building it is.... banners declaring the desire to stop corruption and violence is surely an admirable thing is it not?

Anyone opposing those banners are surely supporting corruption and violence.

Differing opinions??? You are either for it or against it. It is that simple really.

I entirely agree with you. It is about Corruption and Violence, not about political statements or taking political sides.

Even the UN place those kind of reivindicative posters on hospitals, schools, and many other places.

Those who disagree or feel ofended by those posters have something to hide, or are friends of crime.

Edited March 18, 2014 by MGP

[noitom]

Thais love to jump on bandwagons. This Thai protest thing was a great bandwagon and provided first class entertainment for free for the last four months. It only served to strengthen the position of PTP and Thaksin. It shows there is no leadership in Thailand and regardless of what the establishment thinks of him, he is the only executive class political leader that has appeared on the Thai stage for many years. Thais should just recognize that the bandwagon is over, get back to doing what they do best. "Luring" tourists.

[Fryslan boppe]

"... Medical Workers Community Network..."

There is that 'network" word again.

A favorite tactic of the PAD-Dem's, trying to segment themselves. Pretending these political prognostications come from seemingly independent groups, who just happen to espouse PAD-Dem agenda's.

A little bit like 'agenda laundering"

In this instance, it is common knowledge that the Medical establishment is a Thaksin-hater element of the PAD-Dems.....Principally because Thaksin took their golden goose away, with his 30-baht hospital policy. Controlling access to hospital services was a highly lucrative thing for them before that.

So for them to act on those impulses by erecting politically oriented signage and banners is perfectly consistent with the source.

It is helpful therefore, that this thing is contextualized.

[MGP]

"... Medical Workers Community Network..."

There is that 'network" word again.

A favorite tactic of the PAD-Dem's, trying to segment themselves. Pretending these political prognostications come from seemingly independent groups, who just happen to espouse PAD-Dem agenda's.

A little bit like 'agenda laundering"

In this instance, it is common knowledge that the Medical establishment is a Thaksin-hater element of the PAD-Dems.....Principally because Thaksin took their golden goose away, with his 30-baht hospital policy. Controlling access to hospital services was a highly lucrative thing for them before that.

So for them to act on those impulses by erecting politically oriented signage and banners is perfectly consistent with the source.

It is helpful therefore, that this thing is contextualized.

Yes, there is a very clear “segmentation”; call it network, contextualization, or whatever you want. There is a clear differentiation between the people of good will that wants to eradicate corruption and abuse of power, and the ill will Thaksin corrupted business lovers.

Edited March 18, 2014 by MGP

[lomatopo]

Banners with statements about "anti-corruption" and "stop violence" have been erected at the Public Health Ministry and at state hospitals by the Medical Workers Community Network.

Who, or what, is the Medical Workers Community Network? Do they have any political affiliations?

Why the sudden urge to stop violence, or corruption? Surely these have been issues for 50 years, so wouldn't they have been working tirelessly to address these issues?

Are there any rules about erecting banners or signs on government property? At hospitals?

What do these banners say, exactly?

Why are hospitals used to showcase these banners? I'm all for free speech but maybe they should just pay for billboards?

Are political/election billboards allowed at government facilities?

[antimedia]

Now I truley believe Thailand has gone beyond the point of return. When this and other meaningless issues (such as the Jeremy Clarkson pun) are commented on in length it clearly shows how all of this has become so shallow. Bring the coup on, jail or kick out all the corrupt, debauched mob from all sides, every last one of them and then hold free clean democratic elections when reform has been achieved regardless of how long it takes.

[HonestQuietBob]

Doesn't matter what type of building it is.... banners declaring the desire to stop corruption and violence is surely an admirable thing is it not?

Anyone opposing those banners are surely supporting corruption and violence.

Differing opinions??? You are either for it or against it. It is that simple really.

How is it that so many people here try and reduce everything to a simplistic black or white?

Could it not be that citizens don't want there health institutions politicised?

Hospitals are for the sick - they are not billboard locations for pushing a cause.

Even if many agree with the message, it's just not right as it negatively affects the treatment of the sick and unwell.

So what if the Reds started hanging banners denouncing coups and street mobs?

How about a banner that says "No beating people half to death and then tossing them in a river"

Surely everybody agrees with that so should we be able to put the banner up?

Respect for public spaces is severely lacking by this ever diminishing, unpopular, street mob, failing coup monger wannabes.

Thailand is not just for them, they don't own it and it appears increasingly likely that they'll never govern it again too.

[FangFerang]

"Once the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters learned the banners had been taken down, they invaded the Public Health Ministry to find out the reason."

Ok. I see the admins at hospitals have lost a LOT of revenue from losing control over public health care, and hating the caretaker government is a financially motivated statement...but why did the PDRC get involved if the banners are merely blanket encouragements to stop corruption and violence? Everyone knows both sides are corrupt.

Whenever either side talks about removing corruption, I read it as a statement that both sides want their competitors on the other side to disappear....

[fab4]

"PDRC leader Issara Somchai was among the group who demanded to see Kamol Bandaiphet, secretary of caretaker Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong, and deputy permanent secretary Dr Chanvit Tharathep, whom they believed had instructed police to remove the banners.

Protesters shouted they had been instructed by Issara to seek an explanation from the duo. Some ministry staff joined in the protest and blew whistles.

As a result, protesters got access to the roof, re-erected the banners and, after failing to locate Kamol and Chanvit, left the building.

The Public Health Ministry was not the only place to be invaded. The private Mongkutwattana General Hospital was also attacked by unknown assailants."

I remember another hospital allegedly being "invaded" in 2010. The media fallout on that occasion was immense (as it was on here, looking back through archive posts). On this occasion, a one sentence mention to be discarded from the mind.

Curious, how the demonisation of a group of people is encouraged by the media and sucked up as fact by the the less than aware.

Edited March 18, 2014 by fab4

[HonestQuietBob]

Doesn't matter what type of building it is.... banners declaring the desire to stop corruption and violence is surely an admirable thing is it not?

Anyone opposing those banners are surely supporting corruption and violence.

Differing opinions??? You are either for it or against it. It is that simple really.

I entirely agree with you. It is about Corruption and Violence, not about political statements or taking political sides.

Even the UN place those kind of reivindicative posters on hospitals, schools, and many other places.

Those who disagree or feel ofended by those posters have something to hide, or are friends of crime.

I think everyone agrees that educating people about how to practice safe sex is important.

Syphilis, AIDS, gential warts, herpes....... all no good (some quite nasty, I've seen photos) aren't they?

If we produced a set of posters on safe sex and hung them in the class rooms of 5 year olds - wouldn't we be doing society a favour?

No?

Why not?

Oh, there's a time and a place for everything.

Oh, hospitals aren't the right place for political campaigns.(which is clearly what this is - the TV ad for this anti - corruption campaign featured a Yingluck look-a-like).

Please confine yourself to Lumpini Park and let the rest of the nation get on with their own business and lives without the unwanted intrusions.

Edited March 18, 2014 by HonestQuietBob

[MGP]

"Please confine yourself to Lumpini Park and let the rest of the nation get on with their own business and lives without the unwanted intrusions."

Should say "corrupted business". Even if it may look like a minority, there are still some honest citizens on this nation that want to get rid of corrupted business.

[Crushdepth]

Banners with statements about "anti-corruption" and "stop violence" have been erected at the Public Health Ministry and at state hospitals by the Medical Workers Community Network.

Who, or what, is the Medical Workers Community Network? Do they have any political affiliations?

Why the sudden urge to stop violence, or corruption? Surely these have been issues for 50 years, so wouldn't they have been working tirelessly to address these issues?

Are there any rules about erecting banners or signs on government property? At hospitals?

What do these banners say, exactly?

Why are hospitals used to showcase these banners? I'm all for free speech but maybe they should just pay for billboards?

Are political/election billboards allowed at government facilities?

Medical workers have to treat the victims of violence, and this is not the first time they've made it clear that they take a dim view of those that dish it out or authorise it. Corruption is also a substantial issue for state hospitals as much as any other government service.

[The Deerhunter]

Doesn't matter what type of building it is.... banners declaring the desire to stop corruption and violence is surely an admirable thing is it not?

Anyone opposing those banners are surely supporting corruption and violence.

Differing opinions??? You are either for it or against it. It is that simple really.

I entirely agree with you. It is about Corruption and Violence, not about political statements or taking political sides.

Even the UN place those kind of reivindicative posters on hospitals, schools, and many other places.

Those who disagree or feel ofended by those posters have something to hide, or are friends of crime.

I think everyone agrees that educating people about how to practice safe sex is important.

Syphilis, AIDS, gential warts, herpes....... all no good (some quite nasty, I've seen photos) aren't they?

If we produced a set of posters on safe sex and hung them in the class rooms of 5 year olds - wouldn't we be doing society a favour?

No?

Why not?

Oh, there's a time and a place for everything.

Oh, hospitals aren't the right place for political campaigns.(which is clearly what this is - the TV ad for this anti - corruption campaign featured a Yingluck look-a-like).

Please confine yourself to Lumpini Park and let the rest of the nation get on with their own business and lives without the unwanted intrusions.

What's the problem Bob. Would you NOT want your children exposed to posters advocating non-violence & non-corruption? If not, why not? The pictures above do NOT look like any representations of suppurating STD symptoms do they? Can you tell the difference? I cannot think of anywhere I would not be happy to see these posters, from a year one primary student class room to solitary block in th Bangkok Hilton. They could be wasted in both of those places (over the heads of the potential readers) but offensive? out of place? inappropriate? No, NO & NO!! You are letting us see too much of your psyche, Honest Bob. Careful now!!!!!

Edited March 18, 2014 by The Deerhunter