Thai PM criticises hospital break-in by Red Shirts

PHOTO

Anti-government 'red shirt' protesters scuffle with Thai security forces as they advance through their camp during clashes in central Bangkok April 10, 2010. [AFP]

Last Updated: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:06:00 +1000

The Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has gone on national television to criticise recent Red Shirt actions that have paralyzed areas of central Bangkok.

Mr Vejjajiva was speaking after anti-government Red Shirt protestors broke into the grounds of Chulalongkorn University Hospital on Thursday night, looking for soldiers they thought might be there, preparing to attack them.

"It's not necessary for me to condemn (the hospital break-in) since Thai society and the world community have already done that," Mr Vejjajiva said, adding that the government would "take the necessary and reasonable actions to prevent such incidents from happening."

The protestors left the hospital after roaming for an hour through the grounds without finding any soldiers. Protest leaders apologised today.

"We have told them it was an inappropriate move. We truly apologise for any inconvenience caused," protest spokesman Weng Tojirakarn told reporters.

Observers say the incursion raises concerns about how much control the leaders have over their followers at the sprawling protest site in Bangkok.

The hospital is near the Silom business district, the scene of deadly clashes on April 22, and many patients well enough to be moved were evacuated today.

However hospital director Adisorn Patradul said the facility would remain open, and that any patients who could not be moved would stay.

Hospital management has denied the presence of any troops in its grounds, but thousands of soldiers and riot police are in the area to contain a seven-week-old protest movement aimed at forcing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections.

Earlier this week a soldier was killed in a clash on a suburban highway packed with vehicles.

Economic costs

The violence continues to take its toll on Thailand's economy.

On Thursday, the central bank raised its forecast for growth this year to 4.3-5.8 percent, following a strong first quarter.

However the Bank of Thailand says its estimate would have been nearly a percentage point higher without the unrest, adding that the political violence has hurt tourism, consumption and investment.

Arrivals at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport have fallen by a third since the violence broke out.

The bank says the unrest will have an impact on the second-quarter gross domestic product.

Tourism accounts for 6 percent of the Thai economy and employs 15 percent of the workforce.