Public Health Ministry Pursues Civil and Criminal Charges Against Teenagers in Emergency Room Brawl at Ratchaburi Hospital

The Public Health Ministry has disclosed details of a teenage brawl that spilled into the emergency room area of Ratchaburi Hospital, with no initial findings of injured staff or damaged property. The ministry said it will pursue legal action against those responsible.

On May 4, 2025, Dr. Ekkachai Piersrivacharya, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry and ministry spokesperson, reported on the incident at Ratchaburi Hospital. According to information from hospital director Dr. Nikhom Malitong, the dispute began in a public area and continued into the hospital grounds on the night of May 3, 2025, at approximately 11:48 p.m.

The initial conflict arose from Songkran water festivities near Kamnanchula Market in downtown Ratchaburi, resulting in three male victims being brought to the hospital. These included a 24-year-old with a lacerated abdomen requiring hospitalization; a 30-year-old with facial swelling who was treated and released; and a 32-year-old with injuries to the right ribcage and neck, also treated and released.

After the injured were admitted, more than 10 teenagers arrived and resumed fighting near the emergency building, behavior the ministry described as highly inappropriate and causing distress to staff and other patients.

"Violence in medical facilities is illegal under both civil and criminal law," Dr. Ekkachai stated. "The Public Health Ministry has a zero-tolerance policy and will prosecute all offenders. Hospitals must remain safe spaces for everyone. Initial inspections found no staff injuries or government property damage, though the hospital is conducting a detailed damage assessment while legal counsel reviews the case for prosecution."