---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Consulate for RUSSIA, Consulate for THAILAND_Thai Government drop charges against trade union and PAD leaders
From: "Anastasia Agafonova"
Date: Fri, July 17, 2009 3:17 pm
To: thaiemb@nnt.ru
webmaster@opm.go.th
rosposol@cscoms.com
Cc: itfthai@asiaaccess.net.th
pavlovk@sur.ru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Kingdom of Thailand, Consulate for RUSSIA, Consulate for THAILAND*
**
*For the attention of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva**
*
*Prime Ministers’ Office*
Via email:
webmaster@opm.go.th
Dear Prime Minister Vejjajiva
I am writing on behalf of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, which represents over five million union members in the transport industry worldwide, to express my very serious concern about the summons recently issued by Thai police against trade union leaders and PAD supporters. It appears the charges are made in relation to the non-violent airport occupations and closures that occurred last year.
I understand these charges include invasion and destruction of property, inciting unrest and additionally of terrorism – a charge that carries the death penalty. Such charges are grossly exaggerated. According to reliable reports, no physical damage was caused by the airport occupations and the only violence was the throwing of a grenade – not by PAD supporters, but by supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra.
From the information I have received, police have acted against a number of trade union leaders and 30 leading members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on these charges. Many of the union leaders summonsed are from ITF affiliated-organisations. They are Bro. Somsak Kosaisook (former president and present advisor of the State Railway Workers Union of Thailand), Bro Sawit Kaewwarn (President of the State Railway Workers Union of Thailand) Sis. Chamsri Sukchotirat (President of Thai Airways International Union) and Bro. Sirichai Mai-ngam (President of the Electricity Generating Authority State Enterprise Workers’ Union).
The ITF fully supports the rights of its members to engage in legitimate and peaceful protest action and would strongly urge you to intervene to quash these shocking allegations and withdraw the charges made.
I am sure that you agree with me, Prime Minister Vejjajiva, not only that these charges are disproportionate in nature, but also that a priority of any government must be to foster positive industrial relations.
I would be very grateful to hear your comments on the matter
Yours sincerely
David Cockroft
General Secretary, ITF
Anastasia Solovyeva (Agafonova),
Public relations and information officer, Collaborative Fund grant program
manager
ITPCru, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
--
Best regards, Anastasia Solovyeva (Agafonova),
Public relations and information officer, Collaborative Fund grant program manager
ITPCru, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
mail to:anastasia.agafonova@gmail.com
www.itpcru.org
Subject: Consulate for RUSSIA, Consulate for THAILAND_Thai Government drop charges against trade union and PAD leaders
From: "Anastasia Agafonova"
Date: Fri, July 17, 2009 3:17 pm
To: thaiemb@nnt.ru
webmaster@opm.go.th
rosposol@cscoms.com
Cc: itfthai@asiaaccess.net.th
pavlovk@sur.ru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Kingdom of Thailand, Consulate for RUSSIA, Consulate for THAILAND*
**
*For the attention of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva**
*
*Prime Ministers’ Office*
Via email:
webmaster@opm.go.th
Dear Prime Minister Vejjajiva
I am writing on behalf of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, which represents over five million union members in the transport industry worldwide, to express my very serious concern about the summons recently issued by Thai police against trade union leaders and PAD supporters. It appears the charges are made in relation to the non-violent airport occupations and closures that occurred last year.
I understand these charges include invasion and destruction of property, inciting unrest and additionally of terrorism – a charge that carries the death penalty. Such charges are grossly exaggerated. According to reliable reports, no physical damage was caused by the airport occupations and the only violence was the throwing of a grenade – not by PAD supporters, but by supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra.
From the information I have received, police have acted against a number of trade union leaders and 30 leading members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on these charges. Many of the union leaders summonsed are from ITF affiliated-organisations. They are Bro. Somsak Kosaisook (former president and present advisor of the State Railway Workers Union of Thailand), Bro Sawit Kaewwarn (President of the State Railway Workers Union of Thailand) Sis. Chamsri Sukchotirat (President of Thai Airways International Union) and Bro. Sirichai Mai-ngam (President of the Electricity Generating Authority State Enterprise Workers’ Union).
The ITF fully supports the rights of its members to engage in legitimate and peaceful protest action and would strongly urge you to intervene to quash these shocking allegations and withdraw the charges made.
I am sure that you agree with me, Prime Minister Vejjajiva, not only that these charges are disproportionate in nature, but also that a priority of any government must be to foster positive industrial relations.
I would be very grateful to hear your comments on the matter
Yours sincerely
David Cockroft
General Secretary, ITF
Anastasia Solovyeva (Agafonova),
Public relations and information officer, Collaborative Fund grant program
manager
ITPCru, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
--
Best regards, Anastasia Solovyeva (Agafonova),
Public relations and information officer, Collaborative Fund grant program manager
ITPCru, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
mail to:anastasia.agafonova@gmail.com
www.itpcru.org
