Bangkok Port closure likely

It was reported early morning that the labour union of Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), which operated the Bangkok Port, would join forces with the labour unions of other 42 state enterprises which demanded for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation.

According to PAT Governor Sunida Skulratana, most of the 1,000 workers at the port are in the operating level. Upon news that the port was closed in the morning, three ships were diverted to Laem Chabang and Siam Cement's port, causing the loss of about Bt10 million revenue for the Bangkok Port.

"We still don't know what would happen tomorrow, but it's the workers' rights to take leave," she said.

While exporters are concerned of the disrupted services, Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop said that the closure could hurt the shipments of fuels. She said oil retailers have been instructed to reserve fuel products in case of emergency.