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Bobcock

The TV stations are carrying the announcement now.

Rattanaburi

Here's a link for the Thailand Outlook Channel. There's a greta morning show on everyday from 7:10 - 8:30. You can listen online to the news right now. the speakers speak perfect English and you can call in right now to give your opinion. It's part of ASTV but not the same as the Thai channel.

Thailand Outlook Channel

Rattanaburi

They really want people to call in and share their thoughts so go for it.

Camel Toe

By Post Reporters

Forty-three state enterprise labour unions under control of People's Alliance for Democracy organisers have agreed to stage strikes and to selectively cut water and electricity, halt Bangkok buses and delay all Thai International Airways flights beginning on Wednesday. The aim is to help PAD to force the government out of office.

Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation and a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the unions will begin by cutting water and electricity supplies to provincial police offices - and then to other selected targets.

Telephone lines to government agencies and the homes of cabinet ministers will be cut.

Flights of Thai International flights will be delayed nationwide and about 80 per cent of Bangkok buses will stop running. In a reversal of the policy, train service was restored yesterday to the Northeast and North.

A union representative told the union meeting that the 7,500 staf of the Government Savings Bank will "follow the confederation's resolution."

Mr Sawit claimed the plan to cut essential services was in response to the use of force against PAD supporters.

Fellow PAD radical Sirichai Mai-ngam, president of the labour union at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, said the announcement of the confederation was only a threat, but then immediately said it would be put into action. The moves by the PAD-friendly labour unions were intended to protect the interests of the nation and were not for the benefit of state enterprise workers.

The confederation has 43 state enterprise labour unions with more than 200,000 members, Mr Sirichai said.

"Today is our D-Day. We have given them [the government] many chances.

"If the government does not resign, we will continue our operations until it quits," Mr Sawit said.

Boonma Pongma, vice-president of the BMTA's union, said there will be only 800 free red-cream buses left to serve Bangkok commuters, or about 20% of the whole fleet.

Somsak Manop, vice-president of Thai Airways International's union, said the union will delay the arrival and departure times of THAI aircraft and will reduce the number of flights.

Thammarat Ramkwan, president of the Provincial Waterworks Authority's union, said the union will initially cut water supplies to police stations across the country.

Phien Yongnoo, president of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority's labour union, said the union was considering cutting off the power supply to help the PAD pressure the government.

However, the power supply cut would be applied to government agencies whose bills were overdue by one month.

"We will hold a discussion to consider whether the cut-off period could be shorter than one month. It should be one week or whatever. We will do everything to achieve our goal of pressuring the government," he said.

However, at least three labour unions from state-run banks disagreed with the planned strike.

Kusol Boonklom, president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives' labour union, said members of the BAAC union needed to discuss the planned strike among themselves first.

Natthapat Yimyai, president of the Government Savings Bank's labour union, said his members had varying views on whether to join the strike.

Somsak Boonthong, chairman of the SRT's board, said the board is considering whether to resign following the stoppages by railway workers.

"The move by the SRT union to stop rail services was wrong, so we are considering resigning and taking responsibility," he said. The board is expected to make a decision in two days, he said.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej called an urgent meeting yesterday to discuss the union stance with leaders of the People Power party.

PM's Office Minister Chusak Sirinil said the prime minister stressed the importance of legal means to deal with the protesters.

Meanwhile, northern and northeastern train services resumed yesterday after hundreds of railway workers went on strike last week and paralysed the country's rail system.

In Nakhon Ratchasima province, State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Sapcharoen held talks with railway workers and persuaded them to cancel the strike.

The first northeastern train, on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin route, left at 6pm, while northeastern-bound services from Bangkok were expected to resume last night.
Bangkok Post | Top Stories | Nationwide strikes

Bobcock

yep all in the name of 'Democracy'

Fuckin' idiots.

Wayne Kerr

Awoke to news that my office is closed "until further notice". Wondering if this is a Bangkok wide thing. Anyone in the same boat?

jandajoy

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/

Thanks for the link Rattanburi. I'm watching it on the comp. for the first time. Good stuff.

keda

CNN: Demonstrations turn violent and deadly...Bangkok under state of emergency...Army temporarily in control of capital...er, whose move?

TiT

kingwilly

Excellent, just what the army wanted.

playing into their hands now.

BalconiesR4drinkinon

^ I've not heard a Thai national publically condemn his own country like he does on TOC programme. Fair play, a refreshing change.

jandajoy

^ Even talking about the eventual succession !

jandajoy

BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej has declared the state of emergency in Bangkok, authorising the Royal Thai Army to maintain order in the capital. The declaration has taken effect from 7am Monday.


According to the premier, activities carried out by certain groups of people are affecting civil order and national security, and the problems have to end quickly.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Gen Anupong Paochinda, is in charge of enforcing the state of emergency in Bangkok. The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, will be the deputy chief until the situation has returned to normal.

The state of emergency disallows five or more people to gather in the capital. It also prohibits public members to incite or provoke people to violence, and they cannot publicise information that instigate fear and affect national security and peace.
Some roads and buildings will be closed during this period, and people living in those buildings will have to evacuate to the designated areas.

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BalconiesR4drinkinon

Yes, couldn't believe it yesterday when he talked about the passing away of the Big Man.

good2bhappy

is it still on Tele Vision?

BalconiesR4drinkinon

No not now, they went off air early today due to the state of emergency.

jandajoy

Up dates every hour or so, according to the presenter. They can't show coverage 'cos of the Sof E.

gjbkk

Emergency may be lifted in a few days after problems solved: Samak









Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said he made the decision with caution to announce the state of emergency and would try to end the problems in a few days.

He said the announcement was made after consulting officials concerned.

He said the emergency would be lifted after he solved the problems.

He said he would try to solve the problems as soon as possible.

He said the problems would be ended in a few days and Bangkok governor election candidates would later be allowed to launch their election campaigns.

The Nation


is this when the army steps in?

__________________
I can resist everything except temptation!

good2bhappy

I heard him say there was a commitee of 3.
Who are they?

barryofthailand

Good for the PAD. All of Thailand except some communities in Essan where they were paid for votes support the PAD.
Barry

reinvented

no unfortunately im sat in mine