Court approves warrants for garment rally leaders

Three labour leaders of a garment factory face arrest for leading a demonstration, which blocked roads outside Government House and parliament on Thursday.

Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Worapong Chiewpreecha yesterday said police had already received court approval for arrest warrants for Soonthorn Boonyod, 50, Boonrod Saiwong, 34, and Jitra Kochadej, 37.

The three led a rally of more than 400 workers of World Well Garment Co outside Government House on Thursday.

They demanded the government talk the company into delaying its plan to retrench workers.

Having failed to reach Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and present their demand, the protesters moved to nearby Uthong Nai Road in front of parliament. It was reported the demonstrators nearly clashed with police there.

The labour leaders face charges of illegal assembly, resisting police orders, instigating unrest and obstructing traffic.

Pol Lt Gen Worapong said the leaders must face prosecution because it was not a peaceful rally.

MPB deputy commissioner Amnuay Nimmano said Thursday's protest caused trouble because it blocked roads.He said after being charged, if the labour leaders were granted bail and instigated unrest again, they would most likely have their bail revoked.

Some observers say Pol Maj Gen Amnuay's warning was directed at the leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship which plans to rally outside Government House tomorrow.