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10
ACTION EA-09
INFO OCT-01 CU-02 ISO-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-04 H-02 INR-07
L-03 NSAE-00 NSC-05 PA-01 PRS-01 SP-02 SS-15 USIA-06
IO-10 OMB-01 COME-00 EB-07 LAB-04 SIL-01 AID-05
FRB-03 TRSE-00 XMB-02 OPIC-03 CIEP-01 AGR-05 IGA-02
/102 W
--------------------- 107556
R 051052Z JAN 76
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO SEISTATE WASHDC 6339
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE BANGKOK 0162
E.O. 11652: N/A
TAGS: ELAB, TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND'S "GENERAL STRIKE" CONTINUES
REF: A) BANGKOK 26894; B) BANGKOK 27005; D) BANGKOK 0051
D) BANGKOK 0063
1. AFTER THREE INDECISIVE DAYS, THAILAND'S "GENERAL STRIKE"
MOVED INTO A NEW PHASE AS STRIKE LEADERS CALLED FOR A PUBLIC
RALLY IN SUPPORT OF THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNMENT'S
MOVE TO INCREASE RICE
AND SUGAR PRICES. THE GOVERNMENT CON-
TINUED TO CALL ON WORKERS TO RETURN TO WORK WHILE REMINDING
WORKERS OF THE HARDSHIP THEY WILL EXPERIENCE DUE TO LOSS OF
WAGES AND EVEN DISMISSAL FROM THEIR JOBS.
2. AFTER PROMISING NOT TO DISRUPT PUBLIC SERVICES AND NOT
TO HOLD A PUBLIC RALLY, STRIKE LEADERS SAW THEIR TACTICS
WERE DOING LITTLE TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO RESCIND PLANNED
PRICE INCREASES FOR RICE AND SUGAR. IN A LENGTHY AND AT
TIMES HEATED MEETING OF STRIKE ORGANIZERS IT WAS DECIDED
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THAT THE "GENERAL STRIKE" WOULD MOVE INTO STAGE TWO WITH
A RALLY OF STRIKING WORKERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS MONDAY
AFTERNOON. APPROXIMATELY TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE GATHERED AT
THE RAMA IV STATUE, NEAR THE KING'S PALACE. POLICE REPORT
ONE FAITORY OWNER REFUSED TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THE
RALLY UNTIL A SQUAD OF STRIKERS ARRIVED ON MOTORCYCLES TO
ASSIST THE PLANT'S WORKERS. VOCATIONAL STUDENTS OPPOSED
TO THE RALLY, WHILE ALSO OPPOSING THE IHPENDING PRICE
INCREASES, ARE REPORTED BY POLICE TO BE RECRUITING OTHER
STUDENTS FOR A COUNTER-RALLY.
3. STRIKE LEADERS BETRAY A FEELING OF UNCERTAINTY AS THEY
COMPLAIN OF LACK OF SUPPORT BY SOME UNIONS, WORKERS AND
THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THAI LABOR (NCTL)
(REF C) STILL REFUSES TO SUPPORT THE STRIKE AND CERTAIN STATE
ENTERPRISE EMPLOYEES, NOTABLY THE WATER WORKERS, HAVE REPORTED
TO WORK IN NEAR NORMAL NUMBERS. LEADERS OF SOME OF THE
PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS HAVE BEGUN DISCUSSING REDUCING OR
CUTTING OFF SERVICE, PRESUMABLY PHASE THREE OF THE STRIKE.
5. AN EMBASSY THAI EMPLOYEE WHO ATTENDED THIS AFTERNOON'S
RALLY ESTIMATED THE CROWD AT TEN TO FIFTEEN THOUSAND. THE
CROWD WAS ORDERLY AND SPEAKERS VOWED TO REMAIN UNTIL THE
GOVERNMENT GAVE IN TO THEIR DEMANDS. TENTS WERE BEING
ERECTED IN PREPARATION
FOR A LONG STAY.
6. COMMENT: AS PHASE TWO OF THE STRIKE GETS UNDERWAY,
BOTH SIDES WILL ONCE AGAIN REVIEW THEIR OPTIONS. AT THIS
POINT BOTH STRIKERS AND THE GOVERNMENT SEEM INTENT ON
AVOIDING VIOLENCE.
WHITEHOUSE
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