Bangkok Port opens but hurt by work slowdown

Bangkok Port remains plagued by work slowdown as workers have called in sick to join the anti-government protests.

However this has not disrupted maritime transport because ships are being diverted to Laem Chabang and private ports nearby.

Port governor Sunida Sukulratana conceded on that she could not speculate when workers would go back to their job.

Sunida reminds workers that prolonged slowdown would hurt the port business, the economy as well as labour benefits such as year-end bonus.

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Somsak Kosaisuk meanwhile said each trade union would use its own discretion to chart its course on timing and extent of work stoppage to show support for the opposition movement.

Airports of Thailand said damages in the past six days amount to Bt6.2 million resulting from the sieges at airports in Phuket and Hat Yai.

Since a state of emergency imposed in Bangkok on Tuesday, daily arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport dropped by one-thirds.

Airport authorities are planning a road show abroad to rally the confidence. 

The Import Export Transport Association also urges Port Authority of Thailand's labour union to stop the work stoppage at Bangkok Port within 2 days. Without response, it would bring the issue to the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, which comprises 9 transport associations and 4 clubs nationwide.

 Thongyoo Khongkhan, president of the Import Export Transport Association and secretary-general of the federation, said that a state enterprise should not become a political tool.

He said that as Bangkok Port has been paralysed for 3 days, losses are estimated at Bt450 a day. While the port itself lost daily revenue of Bt100 million, the Customs Department also lose revenue of Bt250 million per day.

Meanwhile, shippers need to pay additional Bt86 million a day for fuel, in moving the containers to Laem Chabang Port. This excludes the opportunity loss as foreign buyers could shift orders to other countries, he said.