Public health authorities admit it is difficult to prevent brawls at hospitals as the facilities are open to the public around the clock.
Public health permanent secretary Sukhum Kanchanapimai said several brawls involving rival groups, mostly young men, have taken place at public hospitals recently.
"It is not easy to prevent the incidents as hospitals stay open 24 hours to receive emergency patients," said Dr Sukhum, adding he has asked the police and prosecutors to take swift legal action against the groups.
"Acts of violence in hospitals are unacceptable as they throw the medical services into disarray while causing patients and their relatives to panic," he said.
He was responding to brawls in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Monday night and in Chaiyaphum last week.
Six men were hurt late on Monday night as two rival gangs brawled outside a public hospital in Bang Saphan Noi district of Prachuap Khiri Khan where a man was being treated after an earlier fight between the groups.
The violence followed a free-for-all outside the emergency room of Kaeng Khro Hospital in Chaiyaphum on Saturday night. Two groups of male teenagers had scuffled during Songkran celebrations in the central area of the district in which two members were injured.
Two teenagers were taken to the hospital and their friends waited outside the emergency room. During treatment, the rival gang arrived at the hospital and the two sides fought. Eleven people face court-approved arrest warrants in connection with the brawl.
A similar scene was witnessed at Bang Saphan Noi Hospital when a fight started in front of the emergency room. The incident occurred shortly after a gang member was sent to the hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries suffered in an earlier fight at a restaurant on Bang Saphan-Nong Hadthai Road in Bang Saphan Noi district.
As Somyos Thongrak, 20, was being treated in the emergency room with his friends waiting outside, members of the rival gang arrived about 11pm and another brawl ensued, Pol Col Natthaphol Komintharachart, chief of Bang Saphan Noi police, said yesterday.
"Six men including a 63-year-old were injured during the hospital fracas which was captured by hospital CCTV cameras," said Pol Col Natthaphol.
The injured men mostly suffered head injuries and bruising. The three from the first gang were identified as Anuwat Phoonthong, 33; Suriya Chumchuen, 63; and Archanai Buakham, 29.
The three from the second group were Santichai Makyod, 32; Chavalit Odthawee, 32; and Charan Panprom, 29.
The district police chief said police would examine the CCTV footage and summons those involved to hear charges of assault.
Prachuap Khiri Khan public health chief Samart Thirasak said yesterday legal officials had been instructed to file a complaint against those involved.
Two police officers were reportedly in front of the emergency room during the attack.
No hospital staff were injured, said Dr Samart.