BANGKOK, Oct 9 (TNA) - The Medical Council of Thailand on Thursday opposed the use of violence to solve any conflict, while urging all medical doctors to help patients without discrimination and to observe international humanitarian principles, according to Somsak Lohlekha, M.D., Chairman of the Medical Council of Thailand.
Dr. Somsak said the statement was approved by council committees from 16 medical institutions nationwide representing 38,000 doctors.

Two people died and hundreds were injured in the violent clashes in Bangkok on Tuesday after police used tear gas against anti-government protesters at Parliament.

The Medical Council issued the statement in response to moves by some doctors who vowed not to treat injured police officers to protest the use of force against protesters.

Dr. Suthep Koncharnwit, a physician at Chulalongkorn Hospital, said on Wednesday that medical teams from the hospital would not give medical assistance to police who were injured in the clashes with PAD supporters to show that the doctors opposed the use of violence.

Medical council chairman Dr. Somsak said the council would investigate the issue.

Meanwhile, Thai Red Cross Society secretary-general Dr. Phan Wannamethee and executives of Chulalongkorn Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society and Chulalongkorn's Faculty of Medicine together issued a statement affirming their stance to treat patients regardless of political belief, race, nationality and religion.

Meanwhile, Dr. Suthep from Chulalongkorn apologised for having announced a boycott of medical service to the police, and the emotional remarks he had made at a press conference said he was sorry to have made statements that may have had a negative impact against the hospital.

He said some may have misunderstood his intention as he only wanted to urge the authorities and other in responsible positions to understand that the measures government and police used against protesters were not appropriate.

He added that in practice he did not deny medical treatment to any patient.

Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung explained that the physician had been speaking from anger, but he believed that all doctors practice medical ethics and would not discriminate against patients, despite the emotions raised by this week's events.

He assured the public that the medical institutes under the Public Health Ministry would give their full attention to help all patients.

In the meantime, Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service centre reported that the number of those injured has risen to 478, and of those, 85 had been admitted to nine hospitals in metropolitan Bangkok.

Nine people experienced severe wound and had to amputate their arms, legs, fingers and lost eye.

PHNOM PENH -- The Cambodian Mine Action Center(CMAC) has expressed concern over a proposed 50 percent cut from Japan's annual aid contribution to clear land mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in Cambodia, national media reported Thursday.The proposed cut would take effect in 2009, English-language newspaper the Phnom Penh Post said.

Khem Sophoan, director general of CMAC told the Post that the Japanese contribution is $1.2 million, adding that 350 deminers would lose their jobs if the funds are slashed, leaving 300 hectares of land in northwestern Cambodia uncleared.

"No decision has yet been made. The donor has given us time to lobby before the embassy marks the red line to cut off half of their aid to us," Heng Ratana, deputy director general of CMAC, was quoted as saying.

He added that negotiations were intensive and the stakes high.

"If the aid is halved, it will drastically affect the activities of CMAC," he said.

High U.S. tariffs are hurting Cambodia's garment sector, with the industry complaining that high import costs and a slowing U.S. economy could sink the Kingdom's key industry, state media reported Tuesday.
In 2007, Cambodia paid 419 million U.S. dollars in tariffs on 2.46 billion U.S. dollars worth of exported goods, meaning the industry is paying an average 17 percent tariff, the Phnom Penh Post said, citing a new report by the Progressive Policy Institute, a centrist U.S. think tank.

The average U.S. tax on imports is 1.3 percent, while Saudi Arabia pays only 0.1 percent on the goods it exports to the U.S., the Post said.

Cambodia has already seen a 500 million U.S. dollars drop in exports to the U.S. in the first eight months of this year compared to the same period last year, said Kaing Monika, externalaffairs manager at the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC).

He added that the sector has suffered a loss of about 20,000 workers.

Garments have been hard hit by the U.S. slowdown, with clothing sales down in 2008.

Cambodia sells about 70 percent of its clothing to the U.S. market, making it highly vulnerable to fluctuations in the U.S. economy and Washington's trade policies.

BANGKOK, Oct 8 (TNA) - At least two people are dead and about 300 injured after a day of violent clashes between anti-government demonstrators and anti-riot police on Tuesday as troops have been deployed across the Thai capital after police failed to disperse anti-government protesters.
According to the medical authorities 381 casualties have been treated at eight hospitals in the capital and many are hospitalised.

Meanwhile, Army Spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said unarmed troops had been deployed across the capital to assist the police in curbing the turmoil. He declined to reveal the number of troops, saying only they were from the army, navy and air force.

Ramathibodi Hospital director Than Supattaraphan said one female protester was killed during Tuesday's clashes, but official announcement of the cause of death was awaiting completion of an autopsy.

The victim later identified as Angkana Radabphanyawut, 20, who reportedly died of a chest wound.

Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung announced that Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service centre reported one man was killed in a car bombing near the protest site, and 208 demonstrators were injured when the police fired tear gas canisters to disperse a crowd of several thousand protesters.

The injured are being treated in eight hospitals, with most victims experiencing wounds from the exploded teargas canisters.

A protester identified as Thanya Khunkaew, 30, nearly lost his left leg, which was almost ripped off, while a radio reporter was knocked unconscious and his back was seriously injured when he was hit from behind by a tear gas canister.

About ten police personnel were wounded in the incident. One was pierced by the pointed-tip of a flag pole in his stomach, and underwent emergency surgery at a military hospital. He is now in stable condition but is in intensive care.

In the latest development late Tuesday evening, police fired fresh rounds of tear gas to disperse protesters in front of the Metropolitan Police Headquarters. There was a brief clash between both sides, before the demonstrators retreated from the area, only to return shortly afterwards with gas masks. The number of casualties was not immediately known.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat meanwhile announced his government was doing its best to solve escalating the problems, adding he would make a decision on whether to resign in due course but until then vowed to work and remain at his post.

"As long as I still have the duty, I will keep doing my job. I'll decide on further actions when it is the proper time," said the premier.

The premier earlier left Parliament after delivering the government's policy statement by first climbing over the wall separating Parliament from the adjacent Vimarkmek Palace, where he flew out by helicopter to a meeting with military top brass at the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters on the outskirts of Bangkok to confer on further action to curb the situation.

The premier said it would be the police's duty to handle the situation. He insisted he would not impose a state of emergency in the capital.