A group of Chulalongkorn doctors have expressed their disapproval through the Facebook network of medical student Salaktham Tojirakarn, who is from the same institution and is the son of red-shirt leader Dr Weng Tojirakarn, for helping the red shirts in the blood gathering activity on 16 March.  They have written a letter to the university’s Faculty of Medicine administration and the Faculty’s Alumni Association to have him investigated for his conduct, and have the case forwarded to the Medical Council to consider in the issuance of his professional medical licence.

A member of www.weareallhuman.net, formerly Fah Diew Kan or Same Sky Books political hardcore web-board, has posted screenshots of the doctors’ Facebook page which shows their conversations about Salaktham’s involvement in the blood-drawing activity.

One doctor, who is a lecturer at the Faculty and a recipient of a King Ananda Mahidol Scholarship, wrote the letter and invited others to sign.

Referring to a television news report which shows Salaktham wearing a gown and holding a blood container, the letter says that it has been widely reported that Salaktham is a medical student of Chulalongkorn University.  It raises concerns whether this leads the public to understand that the institution supports the red shirts’ activity.

Salaktham’s involvement in the activity, which did not use the blood for medical purposes, goes against the principles of the International Red Cross, and wearing a gown with the Red Cross emblem is improper.  His conduct has damaged the reputation of the Faculty and the Thai Red Cross, the letter says.

The alumni of the Faculty signing the letter urge the Faculty and the Alumni Association to investigate Salaktham and admonish him in the presence of the press, and forward the case to the Medical Council to consider in the issuance of his licence.  This is to let the public know that the Faculty of Medicine of Chulalongkorn University does not support this activity, and to preserve the honour of King Chulalongkorn’s name and the image and reputation of the Faculty, as well as the prestige and purity of the medical profession, the letter says.