The State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation is calling for a nationwide, five-day work stoppage starting on Thursday to pressure the caretaker government to step down, threatening ‘‘action of the highest degree’’ to achieve its aim.
State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation secretary-general Khomsant Thongsiri, third left, is joined by the leaders of other state enterprise unions in announcing a plan for state unions to go on strike to pressure the caretaker government to step down. The confederation and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee yesterday met at Government House to discuss moves to oust the government. PATIPAT JANTHONG
However, the confederation has assured its operation will only target members of the caretaker cabinet and will spare the general public.
Khomsant Thongsiri, secretary-general of the confederation, revealed the plan after a meeting yesterday between representatives of state enterprise labour unions and anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee leader Suthep Thaugsuban at Government House. Forty-six state enterprise labour unions are members of the confederation.
The move is part of a plan to ‘’seize control of sovereign power’’ from the caretaker government by the PDRC and its anti-government allies, running until May 26 when the PDRC hopes to bring down the government.
Mr Suthep on Saturday vowed to surrender to face police charges and end his protest if he fails to win the last ‘’final battle’’ to oust the so-called Thaksin regime by next Monday.
The PDRC has vowed to seek a new prime minister ‘’its own way’’ after the Senate failed to install an interim premier by the group’s deadline on Friday.
Outlining the confederation’s plan, Mr Khomsant said all state enterprise labour unions that belong to the confederation will be asked to issue statements rejecting the authority of the ‘’Thaksin regime and government officials who are servants of the regime’’.
State enterprise unions will be asked to put up signs rejecting the government’s authority and supporting efforts to install a people’s government.
State union members will be asked to stage acts of civil disobedience by flying national flags on their vehicles or carrying whistles. They will also be asked to pursue the remaining 25 caretaker cabinet ministers to force them to resign, Mr Khomsant said.
He said the state enterprise unions have the equipment to achieve their aim.
He called on the remaining caretaker ministers to resign, or all state unions will resort to ‘’action of the highest degree’’.
Mr Khomsant said the cabinet ministers and some government agencies will be targeted.
He did not said exactly what members will do, although in the past state unions have resorted to cutting off power, water supplies, and public utilities to government agencies or the houses of cabinet ministers.
Mr Khomsant added members of state unions will exercise their rights to take leave from work to attend ‘’union meetings’’ so they will not be subject to any disciplinary action or punishment stemming from shirking their duties.
He said this is the last chance for Thais to fight the Thaksin regime. If they lose this time, the country might as well be handed over to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr Khomsant said.
Mr Suthep yesterday also met former ministers in previous governments and retired senior civil servants at Government House to discuss plans to oust the caretaker government.
They included former foreign minister Kasit Piromya, former deputy commerce minister Oranuj Osathanond, former permanent secretary for commerce Karun Kittisathaporn and former permanent secretary for public health Phaijit Warachit.
Mr Suthep said the demonstrators will today begin a three-day operation to pursue members of the caretaker cabinet and ask them to resign.
He gave assurances the demonstrators will be peaceful and gentle towards the cabinet ministers.
In some cases, Mr Suthep said, the PDRC may approach key figures of some coalition parties about its move.
Mr Suthep said he may ask to meet Banharn Silpa-archa, chief adviser to the Chartthaipattana Party, to ask him to tell the party’s ministers to resign.
Mr Suthep said the PDRC will meet top officials of all ministries and government agencies on Thursday to discuss measures to reform the civil service system and get rid of the Thaksin regime’s influence.
Retired senior government officials, some of whom are PDRC sympathisers, will meet active senior government officials and ask them to stop work from Thursday. He said that ‘’a major operation’’ will take place between Friday and Sunday and the PDRC will declare victory on Monday.
Caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan yesterday issued an order prohibiting Interior Ministry officials, chiefs and officials of state enterprise unions under the ministry and provincial governors from joining the PDRC’s moves.
Any officials who follow Mr Suthep’s orders will face disciplinary action. They could also face criminal and civil action if their activities cause damage.
Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri, who is an adviser to the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, said if cabinet members targeted by the PDRC feel unsafe, Capo will send security officers to protect them.