[natty]

Thai workers rail against coup leaders


About 10,000 workers marched through central Bangkok to mark May Day on Tuesday, accusing the military-backed government of mishandling the economy and demanding an immediate return to democracy.

Wearing yellow shirts and yellow hats in honour of Thailand's king, they marched through Bangkok's government district to a royal plaza.

There was only light security. Police said they deployed 750 officers along the parade route and at the square.

"The government's performance over the past seven months has caused economic losses," the marchers said in a statement, referring to the period since the coup last September.

"The economic slowdown has led to rising unemployment while politics is still not stable," they added.

The labour activists cited in particular the decision to impose stiff currency controls in December as hurting the economy.

The activists also denounced a proposed constitution drafted by a panel handpicked by the military, which would create an appointed Senate and reduce the number of parliamentarians.

"We call for a return to democracy, under the 1997 constitution, through immediate elections," the statement said.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont later met a delegation of the protesters and pledged to consider their demands, which also included an increase in minimum wages and better protection for foreign labourers here.

Agence France-Presse

credit to and source: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...pic=118742&st=0

Tuesday May 01, 2007
ECONOMY MARCH STATISTICS

Economy slows further on weak domestic demand
DARANA CHUDASRI

The economy slowed further in March due to persistent weakness in domestic demand, according to data released yesterday by the Bank of Thailand. The private consumption index shrank 1.4% year-on-year in March, compared with a 0.2% year-on-year increase in February, contributing to a 0.5% contraction year-on-year in the first quarter.

The private investment index decreased 2.9% year-on-year in March, compared with a 1.3% decline the previous month, according to the central bank.

Amara Sriphayak, senior director for the domestic economy department, said exports were the main economic driving force in the first quarter.

The consumption trend reflected declines in passenger cars sales and construction materials.

The figure was in line with a University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce survey, which indicated consumption was worsening due to concerns over political uncertainties.

Dr Amara said the business sentiment index looking forward for three months was at 47.1 for June, indicating worsened investor confidence for the first time in six months.

''Consumers were more cautious in their spending. Meanwhile, investors still are hesitating. Figures in March indicated a steeper slowdown as a result of political uncertainties,'' she said.

Exports totalled $12.9 billion in March, up 19% year-on-year.

Imports were $10.7 billion, a 0.5% increase from last year. The trade account recorded a $2.2 billion surplus, while the current account recorded a record high at $2.25 billion for the month.

Imports of capital goods declined 6.2% year-on-year in March, compared with 2.8% year-on-year growth in February.

Consumer goods imports grew 3.8% year-on-year, compared with 13% year-on-year growth in February.

Dr Amara said the current account surplus totalled $3.5 billion in the first quarter. The central bank maintained its forecast of a $4-6 billion current account surplus for 2007 due to plans to import aircraft in the second and third quarters.

The central bank also expects exports to slow down over the rest of the year.

A manufacturing slowdown in March was due mainly to declines in production of vehicles and construction in line with weaker demand.

The manufacturing production index grew 6.1% in the first quarter, down from 6.8% in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The economic outlook and overall employment could be improved by the government's economic stimulus measures, Dr Amara said. Elections are also expected to improve economic sentiment.

http://www.bangkokpo...y2007_biz36.php

credit to thaivisa.com for posting

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although the may march is a tradition... but it seems like with this one.. they're not just doing the traditional may labor march but going for the coup leader..

[shampoo]

TSK TSK TSK is all I can say.

Everything is going bad in Thailand.

[natty]

well shamp.. the labor may march is actually a tradition since 2004. this year's mass was half of last year.. but it's nice to see that all is really not well there.. the thai media arent covering this nor are they talking about it.. the south's killing had increase even though people believed that it will somewhat resolve due to the coup leader being muslim... so yeah seems like thailand is turning a blind eye just so that they can be "right" about ousting thaksin...

it's like here in america, choosing lesser of the two evils.

[shampoo]

they hate Thaksin so much anyway so of course they'll prove they're right.

So Sad though. How they're climbing but falling.

[pam]

Wow what's going on with Thailand, too much politic issues!! That's why I just stick with entertainment and them lakorns!!

[lora]

maybe it's payback time. there is always ups and downs.

[yadfon]

the coup is not justified when it happened. the coup leaders should gather enough evidence against thaksin before starting it...it's been so long and they still cannot take thaksin to jail. this also made thais no longer united as they have divided views...it may also be a bad thing as it might cause some terrorist groups to use the non unitedness of thais to plot terrible things...

[linstah]

Don't worry, sooner or later this issue would be over. The country will soon move on!

[pam]

Another protest against the government again!!! What's going on??? My mom has been watching this on iptv, and it's getting really annoying!! What's the use of having a government when it got chose but then you're still protesting it??

[Sunny]

oh yea and look its like exactly one year after and again lol yea i saw on TGN news hehe

[f-lady]

This happened...I'm late on the news. THanks for sharing.