AROUND 70 residents of Chee Pha Khao community in Mueang Samut Sakhon staged a protest against setting up a Covid-19 field hospital near their homes at 10 a.m. this morning (Jan. 6) with some of them brandishing placards saying “Chee Pha Khao doesn’t want Covid-19,” Amarin TV reported.
One of the protesters said in his opinion it was not appropriate to set up the field hospital at the chosen spot because over 3,000 people live in this community and they had not been informed in advance only finding out last evening that this was going to happen.
He added that the provincial authorities said this spot was suitable but he wanted to ask how this could be as it was in the middle of the community and should not be used to draw in a lot of germs.
He pointed out that he was not seeking personal advantage but thought this action was wrong considering the large expanse of the district.
Later Mr. Wuttipong Suphakwanich, chief of Samut Sakhon Provincial Office, and Mr. Napat Aim-on, Mueang Samut Sakhon district chief, together with Tha Chin sub-district officials negotiated with the protesting residents.
However as the protesters stood firm Wuttipong decided to scrap the plan with the officials now looking for a new spot for this field hospital.
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Top: Chee Pha Khao residents protesting this morning. Thai headline says, “don’t want field hospital.” Photo: Amarin TV
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