ci si allontana dalla soluzione
da the nation
By The Nation
Published on September 1, 2008
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in the South threatened to close seven airports if Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej refused to resign.
Shutting airports was one of the measures they planned to adopt, Sunthorn Rakrong, a coordinator of the PAD from the South said. The airports in their sights were Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Samui, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Trang.
They also planned to block all roads leading to the South starting from Bor Nok and Prachuab Khiri Khan. As a last measure, they announced that Samak would be barred from entering the South.
Meanwhile, the government yesterday threatened to hire new workers if State Railway of Thailand (SRT) staff go on long leave or strike work in a bid to pressure the government to resign.
The government will consider hiring train drivers and other staff if this occurs, a minister said.
The SRT operates at a loss and the agency relies on taxpayers to continue services.
"The strikes hurt the public even more. I believe we can find people who can replace them. We can train them how to operate trains,'' the minister said.
Meanwhile, Phuket International Airport resumed services yesterday and protesters later dispersed from the airport entrance, their protest site for three days.
Phuket deputy governor Worapoj Ratsima and Wing Commander Wicha Nernlop, director of Phuket International Airport, told a press conference after a meeting that the airport would resume operations yesterday afternoon.
Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Pol Maj-General Pisan Jundilok said security had been tightened at the airport but the crowd of protesters will not be dispersed.
In the meantime, airport staff opened another entrance for both international and domestic passengers to access the airport.
The protesters dispersed yesterday afternoon, saying they had been successful in pressuring the government and helping PAD demonstrators in Bangkok to continue their protest.
Methee Thanmanatrakul, chairman of Thai Hotels Association in the South, said the protest had caused losses and tarnished the country's image as about 15,000 tourists use Phuket's airport each day.
Railway services in Thailand's northern region have been paralysed after all northern line train services in Chiang Mai were suspended yesterday.
Passengers have no choice but to change to other modes of transportation.
An assistant to the Chiang Mai train stationmaster, Silrat Deewajee, said it is unclear when services can resume.
The SRT labour union's work stoppage has disrupted train services nationwide. However, Chiang Mai airport is still open amid tightened security.
In the South, Hat Yai airport resumed operations on Saturday after a two-day blockage of the facility. Some passengers travelled from Phuket to embark from Hat Yai airport as the island resort's airport remains closed.
Meanwhile, Surat Thai airport resumed services yesterday after some protesters, who had blocked the airport on Saturday, dispersed.
