|
|
| • EXCH RATES |
|
Baht/$ 34.23/25 (Bid/Ask)
|
GOLD |
13,350
|
|
NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG & DARANA CHUDASRI
Businesses looking to improve their logistics should look at how the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has applied a military-support model, says Tanit Sorat, head of the Logistics Industry Club at the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Over the past three months of daily PAD rallies, 30 ''spreading stars'' formed small groups at various Bangkok venues, mainly government buildings, before the campaign escalated into a huge occupation of Government House this week.
As well, protests have been staged in key provincial spots such as airports in the South and street blockades in Khon Kaen, the hub linking the Northeast with the central region.
''The spreading star movement is excellent. They took control of the government centre and in the provinces, train services are now suspended,'' said Mr Tanit, talking about the sympathy strike by State Railway of Thailand union members.
For supplies of food, water and medicines, protesters have their own kitchens and one cooks vegetarian food. Numerous donors have set up tents to offer food and other essentials, even women's underwear, to thousands of protesters.
Mobile toilets are provided by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) while the group is also allowed to use the washrooms at Sanamma Nanglerng 24 hours a day.
Sometimes there is even hotel food served by hotel staff, said a protester named Kumnuan, 63.
''We have never starved. Sometimes, we prepare food for ourselves just in case they don't have enough available,'' he said.
The support for the troops isn't limited to food, notes Mr Tanit. Concerts and other entertainment are plentiful, just as they are for soldiers who need to unwind in war zones. ''Once, I went to the protest myself to observe the scene and was surprised that one of the staff approached me with noodles and a bottle of water,'' he said.
The ''spreading stars'' approach, he explained, involves protest organisers gathering people at one place before dividing them into groups to go to specific places with leaders.
''This clearly indicates that the PAD manages the protest in the form of flat organisation. Secondary leaders are guided and instructed by the top people so that they can lead each small rally.
''This also indicates that if the core leaders were arrested, these second-wave key men would be in charge, so the mission would not over.''
Mr Tanit said the full-stream logistics management of the PAD could be a good model for businesses.
''Their ultimate goal is clear that they want to bring the government down, so they set a vision for the organisation that everyone shares the same mission. Then, the spreading star strategies have been developed into action plans. I would say these kinds of plans could be applied to businesses.''
But Thongyu Klongkan, secretary of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, says the PAD should better take care of protesters' welfare. ''I might suggest that once they succeed in besieging Government House and declare victory, they should leave the place quickly,'' he said.
''The crowds are now so big. How can the PAD guarantee the safety of its own members?''
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Next
