Unions ready to stop power, water, trains

State-enterprise labour unions are preparing to launch measures to oust the government following the use of tear gas by police to disperse anti-government protesters.

State Railway of Thailand labour union president Riangsak Kaengkan said all union members would meet today to formulate protest strategies. A statement will then be issued.

He said the action was unlikely to include a work stoppage as the SRT wanted to facilitate the transportation of protesters from provinces to Bangkok.

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) vice president Boonma Pongma said his agency was evaluating the situation. Initially, the BMTA parked three or four buses in front of the entrances to the Parliament building, and some of its union members joined the protest on Monday evening. Five of them have been injured, he said.

Somboon Sapsan, president of the CAT Telecom union, said more than 100 of the agency's staff had joined the protest. The agency's union is "formulating countermeasures" and has decided to follow a Federation of State Enterprises agreement, he said.

A People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader yesterday said on condition of anonymity that the consequence of the labour unions' gathering would be greater than last time.

"The only demand now is to pressure the government to leave office," the PAD leader said. "We're ready to cut off power and water supplies, close airports and stop trains."

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) union cut off power to the Parliament building while the government was declaring its policies to Parliament, reasoning that the building's power bills were three months overdue. MEA officials later resorted to a back-up power source for the parliamentary session.

Following clashes between police and anti-government protesters in front of the Parliament building, support for the protest is believed to have swelled around the Kingdom, with many headed to Bangkok to take part.

EGAT governor Sombat Sarntijaree assured the public they would not be deprived of electricity, because EGAT staff would still perform their jobs. EGAT will ensure a constant power supply to limit damage to the public and businesses, he said.

Major premises facing power and water cuts include the prime minister's residence and Don Mueang Airport, where the Cabinet is working.