Brawling rescue teams face police charges
>>Foundations specialising in emergency response and rescue are to meet to define working boundaries following clashes between two member groups last week, says the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB).
The bureau will invite nine Bangkok-based foundations to discuss work zones and on-scene protocols, said Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsang-ek, the MPB spokesman.
The foundations have been granted the licence to conduct the response and rescue missions, except for the Phetkasem Foundation which is in the process of applying for its licence.
The spokesman said the zones must be clearly defined for the sake of fairness. Police will also conduct criminal background checks on all foundation staff, and any staff who misbehave face immediate suspension, he said.
His warning came after violent brawls broke out between members of the Phetkasem and the Ruam Katanyu foundations in the Thung Song Hong and Khok Kham police jurisdictions on Thursday.
In the incident in Thung Song Hong, warning shots were fired into the air although no one was hurt.
The police summonsed all staff on duty for the foundations that night. It is believed they were fighting over work boundaries.
Pol Maj Gen Trairong Phewpan, the MPB deputy commissioner, said the ringleaders have been identified. Executives of both foundations had told police they would take staff responsible for the outbreak to the station for questioning, although this has yet to happen, said Pol Maj Gen Trairong.
As soon as the court approves the warrants sought by police, at least two suspects will be charged in connection with the brawl in the Thung Song Hong area as well as another three from the Khok Kham fight. Rescue vans will now be subject to searches for weapons.