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Strike possible in face of political turbulence
NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG
Shippers are clearing their cargoes from Bangkok Port and re-routing shipments via Laem Chabang Port on fears that unionised workers will strike again in support of anti-government protests. The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) and its labour union in separate statements yesterday urged exporters and shippers to divert their shipments from the port in Klong Toey to other sites.
The statements said ongoing political turbulence might disrupt operations at Bangkok Port, where services were suspended three days last months as union members showed their support for the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
On Tuesday the Thai National Shippers Council (TNSC) alerted its 2,700 members _ who are all involved in exporting _ about the threat of industrial action and advised them to divert shipments to Laem Chabang from next week.
Despite higher costs, exporters have opted to use Laem Chabang to avoid the risk of failing to meet shipment schedules and of damaging their reputation among foreign buyers, said the TNSC's Techa Boonyachai.
''We are begging the port union not to go on strike again for the sake of the country,'' he said. ''If the economy is affected by the strike, everyone in the whole nation will suffer.''
Bangkok Port can service 40,000 containers per week, accounting about a quarter of the country's capacity.
Shippers estimate an extra cost of around 3,000 to 4,000 baht for moving each container from Bangkok to Laem Chabang. Somkiat Rodcharoen, the head of the PAT union, said members would meet today to decide whether the union would take action in response to the crackdown.
''We are blaming those who use force against protesters,'' he said. ''Our decision whether to make a move will be based on the situation day by day.''
PAT director-general Sunida Skulrattana said services at Klong Toey had been as normal but warned disruptions might occur if the protests spread.
However, TNSC chairman Suchart Chantaranakaracha said exporters had learned their lesson from last month's protest. ''We cannot trust either the PAT or its union,'' he said. ''If a strike erupts again, 4,000 export and import shipments a day will be affected.''
Meanwhile, the union of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) vowed to suspend all train services nationwide if the government uses more force against protesters.
Last month, countrywide train services were disrupted for 10 days as union members took sick leave, hitting export and import shipments between Thailand and Malaysia.
So far, almost 1,000 SRT staff working at the Makkasan maintenance centre have gone on strike to support the protest. But 380 normal train services will remain unaffected, said union leader Riengsak Khangkhan. The union also has allowed PAD supporters to travel for free on four rail routes from the North, Northeast and South to join the protest in Bangkok.
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