From an assistance company based in Thailand - Asian Assistance (Thailand)
Large scale political demonstrations have been occurring in Bangkok since March 12, 2010, and currently large parts of Bangkok's central business district are occupied by anti-government protestors.
A number of violent clashes with security forces and dozens of attacks involving explosives have occurred, resulting in deaths and injuries. The Thai government continues to deploy significant numbers of police and military forces and future violent clashes remain a real possibility.
A state of emergency is in effect in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and some areas in the provinces of Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Pathom.
The situation is volatile and it is unclear for how long these protests will continue and which areas may be affected. Public transportation, including the SkyTrain (BTS), Metro (MRT), and bus routes, has been disrupted. Bangkok’s airports and train station are operating normally.
The medical facilities located in the areas where the demonstrations are centered are:
• Bangkok Christian hospital
• Bangkok Nursing Home
• St. Louis Hospital
• Lerdsin hospital
• Chulalongkorn hospital
• The Police hospital
The Chulalongkorn hospital, which is located near the epicentre of the red shirts anti-government protests, is considering moving patients for further treatment to another public hospital, The Siriraj hospital for further treatment after protesters forced their way into the hospital yesterday, Thursday, night searching for troops.
From “ The New York Times”
“ A major Thai hospital evacuated hundreds of patients and suspended all but emergency surgery after anti-government protesters stormed in to hunt for security forces they suspected were taking positions there overlooking their barricaded enclave. A group of the so-called Red Shirts barged into Chulalongkorn Hospital late Thursday despite pleas from its director, then withdrew after not finding soldiers or police within the sprawling compound.
Hospital director Adisorn Patradul said all but two of the hospital's 500 patients were either discharged or sent to other facilities Friday in the wake of the raid.’ The incident yesterday clearly showed that it was longer safe in the hospital. They could come in anywhere they want,'' Adisorn said.”
