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The confederation is an umbrella group of 43 state-enterprise labour unions. CSEWR secretary-general Sawit Kaewwan read a statement saying the government had lost legitimacy in running the country out of a failure in its administration, especially in addressing grievances and tackling the rising cost of living faced by workers.

The Samak Sundaravej government has proved to be a puppet of the Thaksin Shinawatra regime, with heavy interference in the justice system, the media and independent agencies, he said. Government officials fall victim to political harassment.

The Assets Examination Committee has also found corruption that may have cost the state up to Bt110 billion through the privatisation of state enterprises.

The Samak government also threatened to use force to suppress the anti-government protesters.

"We unanimously decided to join the PAD's civil disobedience by providing free transport services like trains, city and provincial buses for members of the public but cutting power and water to state agencies. We will launch work stoppages immediately if the government uses force against the protesters,'' he said.