Government House besieged with protesters

Disgruntled railway workers and disabled lottery vendors on Tuesday held separate rallies at Government House in order to air their respective grievances.

About 200 disabled lottery vendors broke down a barricade to enter the seat of government in order to attract attention to their rally. They retreated after authorities agreed to accept their petition.

Their key demand is for the government to increase the lottery quotas alloted to the disabled.

Supported by union workers from other state enterprises, hundreds of railway workers marched from the Royal Plaza to Government House to present a six-point demand.

The key demands include the cancellation of all plans related to the privatisation of the State Railway of Thailand and the reinstatement of six dismissed workers involved in the disruption of train services in the South.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to chair a meeting in this afternoon to try to find an amicable solution on the train services.