Struggling for breath

04 ธันวาคม 2556

Protesters quickly learned to live with high pressure water cannons and tear gas, but they did suffer and questions are being raised about the substances used by police.

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The driver of a vehicle used to break down concrete barriers struggles to escape from a direct tear gas hit. THITI WANNAMONTHA

Struggling for breath

By the end of the clashes with riot police, anti-government protesters had become quite adept at dealing with high pressure water cannons and tear gas, wearing all different kinds of protective clothing and gear, preventing gas from spreading with sodden bags and even blowing the gas back with giant fans.

Still many, including Bangkok Post photographers and reporters, did suffer from the water and gas and the various substances mixed with it. These raised questions about whether the police complied with international practices as they repeatedly stated they did.

Many protesters exposed to the high-pressure water reported severe skin irritation.

Many protesters hit by high pressure water cannons reported severe blistering. SEKSAN ROJJANAMETAKUL

Those exposed to tear gas suffered shortness of breath and eye irritation.

Police also sprayed protesters with purple water, raising concerns about chemical contamination.

Bangkok Post photographer Patipat Jantong was among those sprayed with the police's high-pressure water near Chamai Maruchet bridge. His arms were burned and blistered afterwards.

Field medical volunteers stationed at the Royal Turf Club in the Nang Loeng area said demonstrators exposed to tear gas Monday were suffering more severe symptoms than those affected on Sunday. Protesters not only suffered eye and skin irritation, but also had difficulty breathing. The volunteer medics suspected the chemicals attacked the respiratory system.

Field hospital volunteers reported that eye irritations were a common complaint. PORNPROM SATRABHAYA

One volunteer, a supporter of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy, told the Bangkok Post that some patients affected by tear gas experienced complications including dizziness, vomiting and coughing after exposure to the gas.

The medical volunteers were using herbal liquids made with ya-nang leaf (Tiliacora triandra) and rang cheud (laurel clock vine) to treat the injured.

According to the volunteer medics, a preliminary test of the police's purple water found acid levels at pH4. They were suspicious that sulphuric acid had been mixed with the water. "As a matter of safety, we urge independent organisations or the Medical Science Department to conduct tests on the substance used by police," a volunteer medic said.

However, the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) insists the use of tear gas on protesters complied with international standards.

Deputy national police chief and Capo deputy director Worapong Chiewpreecha said the tear gas had been deployed in line with the third round of Capo's measures, which aim to limit disturbances, destruction of state property and trespassing into restricted areas.

Tear gas is used to disperse protesters and can be deployed frequently because it only causes a temporary burning sensation, he said.

The Protection and Crowd Control Division's Sub-Division 1 superintendent, Nattapon Komintarachat, said officers were using tear gas canisters, powder-like tear gas and tear gas mixed with water. The liquid tear gas was imported from the United States. Pol Gen Worapong insisted these types of tear gases comply with international standards for crowd control.

Capo spokesman Piya Uthayo said the purple-coloured water was mixed with dye to help identify protesters.

The colour is hard to wash off so demonstrators who have entered restricted areas and tried to break down barriers could be separated from peaceful protesters, he said.

Adapted from a story by Paritta Wangkiat & Lamphai Intathep which appeared in yesterdays' Bangkok Post