STREET VIOLENCE
SIRIKUL BUNNAG
The government's Oct 7 crackdown on demonstrators has left greater mental scars on the public than the 2004 tsunami did, according to psychiatrists. Without an urgent remedy to the political crisis, the population could develop a deep-rooted and permanent disunity.
In a discussion yesterday on the mental impact of the crackdown, Nongpa-nga Limsuwan, chairwoman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Thailand, said the crackdown on demonstrators outside parliament and the Metropolitan Police Bureau in Bangkok affected the mental health of Thais more than any natural disaster, including the 2004 tsunami.
''It hurts the heart of the whole population, because it was a severely violent and horrible crackdown.
''The pictures of people running for their lives looked like [they were running from] national enemies.
''It was unnecessary for the government to take such action because it was only a political conflict.
''If the fatalities resulted from a natural disaster, people could have accepted them.
But this resulted from deliberate actions, so it is hard for society to accept.
''A society that continuously experiences such scenes can develop hatred and can increasingly resort to violence,'' Prof Nongpa-nga said.
She urged the government to refrain from violence and promote mercy.
Ampon Su-ampan, a psychiatrist at Chulalongkorn Hospital, said if the government failed to solve the problem, the national rift would grow too wide to be bridged.
Some people had already developed a dangerous attitude that killing could solve political problems.
Dr Ampon blamed the political turmoil on ''unwise'' national administrators.
Phanom Kateman, head of the Department of Psychiatry of the faculty of medicine at Siriraj Hospital, said people directly affected by the crackdown were in urgent need of mental rehabilitation.
They may suffer from nightmares and insomnia and be too weak to visit the scene of the violence again.
Burin Sura-arunsamrit, a psychiatrist of the Somdet Chaopraya Institute, said he witnessed the crackdown and found it hard to take care of his own mental health.
''As an observing doctor, I can't even control my own mind.
''I am angry and sorry after seeing people killed and injured.
''Medical units that were rushing to rescue people couldn't get to people because police were firing tear gas.
''Those pictures are always on my mind and I can't sleep.
''How would it be for the people who do not know how to take care of their mind?'' said Dr Burin.
Bangkok residents are the most unhappy with the crackdown, the ongoing political turmoil and economic problems, according to a new Abac poll.
The Abac Poll Research Centre surveyed nearly 3,300 people in 18 provinces nationwide between Oct 7 and 11.
Southerners were the second most unhappy, while northeasterners were the least unhappy during the period
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