Two volunteer workers were wounded in the latest scuffle between rival rescue foundations in Nong Chok district of Bangkok on Saturday night.
Some 50 rescue workers from the Por Teck Tung Foundation and a group from Romsai Rescue Foundation arrived at Lam Pakchi police station at about 1am on Sunday to give statements to police over Saturday’s brawl involving some members of the two rival foundations, Manager Online reported on Sunday.
Five soldiers were deployed to observe the situation and maintain peace and order at the police station.
Two rescue workers, one from each foundation, were wounded in the violent brawl that took place near Patsorn 13 housing estate on Suwinthawong Road in Khok Faed area of Nong Chok district on Saturday night.
Earlier, Panawut Jusuk, of the Por Teck Tung Foundation, filed a complaint with Lam Pakchi police at 11pm on Saturday, accusing rescue workers from the rival Romsai Rescue Foundation of physically attacking a 16-year-old rescue worker from his foundation.
Mr Panawut told police he was driving a foundation ambulance van to the housing estate after being alerted about an accident. As his van was about to enter an alley leading to the housing estate, a rival ambulance crew suddenly cut in front of his vehicle. His van was partly damaged. The workers later engaged in a war of words that led to a violent brawl.
Sarawut Jitampai, 21, of the Romsai Rescue Foundation, told police the other group started the brawl by cutting in front of his vehicle. He alleged that one member of the Por Teck Tung team attacked him with an axe. He sustained wounds to his arms and back.
As the situation looked tense, police invited Vicharn Tansuriyawong, secretary-general of the Romsai Rescue Foundation, to mediate in the dispute between the two rival teams.
After four hours of talks, Mr Vicharn said the dispute was a matter for the individuals, not the two foundations. It was caused by a misunderstanding over areas where each would aid victims of road accidents.
To prevent a recurrence of the brawl, he asked all rescue foundations to receive commands from the Erawan radio centre, operated by Bangkok Metropolitan Aministration’s Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre, to aid victims of road accidents.
Niphon Thongpradit, of the Por Teck Tung Foundation, said a possible motive for the brawls between rival foundations stemmed from service fees that each receives from hospitals where victims are sent for treatment. Hospitals normally pay 500 to 1,000 baht per accident case. Mr Niphon said his foundation had never claimed service fees.