"For example, bus fares should be reduced by half," Labour Minister Apai Chandanachulaka said at a press conference yesterday. Hotels and other tourism-service providers should also

offer special rates on the day, he said.

Apai said the government would spend Bt3.1 million on Labour Day activities on Tuesday, when a procession will be held in honour of HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of his 80th birthday this year.

Musical performances, exhibitions, job-placement activities and free medical check-ups will be organised.

The Social Security Office (SSO) will hand out 20,000 yellow T-shirts in honour of His Majesty. Yellow is the colour associated with His Majesty's birthday.

The T-shirts have been made with a Bt2-million budget provided by the SSO.

Manas Kosol, chairman of the Employees' Labour Development Council of Thailand and a member of the National Legislative Assembly, said many labour groups would get together to hold Labour Day activities this year.

"The activities will be grander than any other year to honour His Majesty," he said.

Manas expected more than 20,000 people to join in processions next Tuesday. One is to pay homage to His Majesty, another to celebrate His Majesty's "Sufficiency Economy" philosophy, while a third is to raise awareness about labour causes.

The processions will start near the Royal Plaza and end at Sanam Luang, where nine demands from workers will be submitted to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

They include improving the Labour Protection Act (Workers' Version) and the Occupational Safety and Working Environment Act (Workers' Version).

Labour groups say the interim government should amend the Labour Relations Act of BE2518 to better respond to current circumstances - and adjust wages based on the inflation rate.

They said the same wage-raise rate should be applied throughout the country, and that commodity prices should be controlled.

Labour groups want the government to stop all privatisation schemes and to allow workers to cast ballots at their workplaces.

They say the SSO should set up its own hospitals to service insured members and allow its members to enjoy healthcare benefits under the SSO scheme after they retire - not put them into the universal healthcare scheme.

Lastly, a joint committee of government and labour representatives should be set up to follow up progress on these demands.

"We will need to seriously push for legal amendments. Currently, workers do not enjoy protection when they are exploited. They do not enjoy job security," Manas said.

Employers should be legally required to tell workers at least three days in advance if they will have to stop working temporarily, he said. And during non-work periods, workers should receive 80 per cent - not 50 per cent - of their normal wage. Apai said yesterday his ministry had already been working on legal amendments based on workers' needs. "For example, the draft amendment for the Labour Relations Act has already been submitted to the Council of State."

This year, a number of labour organisations have refused to join activities organised by Manas and his colleagues. They say Manas and his bloc have wasted too much money celebrating May Day.