Group quits PAD for its coup stance

The State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation is defecting from the movement led by the People's Alliance for Democracy because PAD leaders have said they support undemocratic political change, the confederation's secretary-general says.

Sawit Kaewwan, who was previously among the group's second-tier leaders, said PAD bosses had often suggested the country be "shut down" for national reform despite the fact that a new election was near.

They had also expressed a desire to change the political structure to an undemocratic system.

Those leaders' thoughts were in opposition to the political beliefs of the confederation, he said.

"We believe in democracy and we do not agree with the enforcement of any power or any individuals' power for political changes [coup]. We also oppose all forms of dictatorship," Mr Sawit said.

He said the board of directors of the labour confederation had resolved that its leaders should withdraw from the PAD and refrain from joining the PAD on rally stages as well as at other activities. The confederation told the PAD of its intention on Tuesday.

Somsak Kosaisuk, an adviser to the confederation, has also quit as a PAD core leader, and Mr Sawit himself has resigned from the PAD's group of second-tier leaders.

Mr Sawit said the confederation earlier agreed with the PAD's stance to campaign for the protection of Thai territory near the Preah Vihear temple.

"But after a while, we noticed that the PAD's principles and stance had changed. The movement later on aimed to benefit certain individuals. Consequently, we have to review our participation in the movement," said Mr Sawit.

The confederation began joining PAD rallies in 2006.

Its defection leaves the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect as the only powerful core support group of the PAD that has continued to campaign for the protection of Thai territory in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.