The Public Health Ministry will study the impact of the recent political demonstrations on the mental health of the participants - both the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters and pro-government supporters, said a senior health official.

The move comes after the PAD announced the end of its siege of Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport on December 2.

Department of Mental Health Spokesman Dr Taveesilp Wisanuyothin said plans for the long-term project were put in place soon after October 7, the day of the first bloody clash between PAD protesters and police. The project aims to study 600 people who joined the demonstrations.

Taveesilp believes the results will be a key to preparing individuals for times of political tension in the future. He said that people who had joined the demonstrations were optimistic about the political situation because the protests had taught them how to control their emotions, and express their feelings to those on the other side.

Moreover, people on the same side had made strong relationships.

" Protesters have created close friendships with each other |during the protests," commented a mental-health expert. "That should have a positive rather than a negative effect on their |mental health."