The hazards of rescue work

THALANG: Three Kusoldham Rescue Foundation workers had to call in rescuers themselves at about 3 am on March 10, after being assaulted by a group of more than 20 girls and ladyboys at the PTT filling station in Baan Lipon, Tambon Srisoonthorn. Chaiya Pariensati said he and two other rescue workers were on duty when they noticed a young woman stop at the station’s 7-Eleven convenience store. Just as she was about to enter the store, a group of about 20 young women and ladyboys arrived, marched up to her, and began a violent assault that left her on the ground screaming for help, he said. When the trio of rescue workers went to help, the group turned on them. One rioter grabbed the police radio from an unidentified Kusoldham worker and smashed it to the ground. Several more launched an assault on the rescue workers’ Isuzu truck, which was clearly marked on the side, “Kusoldham Phuket Foundation”, K. Chaiya said. Police finally collared three katoeys and four girls, including the hapless victim, whom they named as “Bow”. At Thalang station she demanded just 3,000 for bodily injuries suffered at the hands of the six suspects. “She didn’t want any more problems with the group,” K. Chaiya said. “This sort of incident ought never have occurred at all,” K. Chaiya later told a reporter. “Everybody at the rescue service wants only to help people in danger; that’s all. “We saw the girl being beaten, heard her cry out for help, so we tried to stop it. “Those teenagers should never have assaulted us, especially as they knew we were just trying to help. “I’d like to ask them, should anyone in their group be injured, who’s going to take them to the hospital –– if not rescue service staff?” Police will now investigate the incident further and try and get the attackers to pay for damages to Kusoldham Foundation property. The motive for the group’s assault on K. Bow was not revealed, nor were her personal details, surname or profession. It was not reported whether K. Chaiya or other Kusolatham staff were previously acquainted with her.