Residents are preparing to take to the streets in protest against an impending order by the army to transfer from the area Songkhla's Chana Hospital director Supat Hasuwannakit over his role in the movement against a coal-fired power plant project in Songkhla.
Dozens of residents on Friday went to present flowers and give moral support to Dr Supat. Meanwhile, many activists criticised the transfer proposal.
The 4th Army region commander Piyawat Nakwanich, in charge of the area in the South, said earlier he had written to the Public Health Ministry asking it to consider transferring Dr Supat over his alleged involvement in protests against the project in Thepa district of the province.
Supat: Facing transfer by army
Lt Gen Piyawat said he thought officials -- whether they are doctors, police, or soldiers -- who leave work for unrelated activities without permission must face disciplinary action, especially those who act in a way that incites public unrest.
The National Council for Peace and Order has issued directives to maintain peace and order as efforts are under way to forge unity and harmony, he said.
Dr Supat, who is also the vice-president of the Rural Doctors Society in the South, told the Bangkok Post yesterday he has not received any notification on the issue. He declined to comment further.
"I would like to thank all of you for giving me moral support and I ask every hospital staff member to dedicate themselves to taking care of people," Dr Supat told a group Chana Hospital staff and local people on Saturday as they gathered at the hospital to offer him support.
Prasitchai Nunuan, coordinator of the Save the Andaman From Coal network, said that it was normal for a doctor to speak publicly about the impact of a coal-fired power plant likely to affect people's health.
Mr Prasitchai said Dr Supat should not be accused of incitement as the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, or supporters of coal-fired power plants, could also face the same accusation. However, the Public Health Ministry has the right to examine whether Dr Supat, as a government official, had spoken on the issue during his office hours, Mr Prasitchai said.