Reds' protest takes toll; 45 Ratchaprasong workers unemployed, nearly 25,000 affected

BANGKOK, May 6  – With a month-long protest by anti-government Red Shirts closing down the Thai capital’s prime commercial area of Ratchaprasong, 45 workers have lost their work and nearly 25,000 employees have been negatively affected, according to the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA).

RSTA chairman Chai Srivikorn said he has been informed by the Labour Ministry that 45 Ratchaprasong workers are already unemployed and the number will likely increase if the rally of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) at Ratchaprasong intersection lasts beyond the end of May.

Mr Chai said currently 4,400 hotel workers and 20,000 persons in retail businesses have been affected by the Red Shirt protesters who have camped at the country’s luxurious shopping area since April 3, forcing the closures of department stores, five-star hotels and some office buildings.

Retail businesses lost an estimated income of Bt 5.2 billion per month, or Bt174 million daily, while hoteliers in the area lost about Bt600 million monthly.

Mr Chai said there are 1,687 retail business operators and ten hotels at and around Ratchaprasong intersection.

The RSTA chairman said the association is now preparing a business rehabilitation plan as the political situation is likely to improve after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva proposed a road map for national reconciliation and the Red Shirt protest is expected to end within this week.

Mr Chai said the closed department stores, hotels and buildings in Ratchaprasong area are ready to reopen within two days after the protest ends, while the already-but-not completely opened buildings will be able to resume their entire service immediately the following day.

The RSTA will also co-operate with state agencies launching pro-active marketing strategies for six months to restore confidence among tourists and a big marketing event will be held in June, according to Mr Chai.

“The association has discussed with the premier’s secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu and has been informed there’s a good way out for the political situation and the protest is expected to end this week, said Mr Chai. “If the protest does not end, Ratchaprasong business will be severely affected.”

Mr Chai added that the business operators in the protest-hit area could apply for loan to restore their business at commercial banks from next week.

He noted that the Bt3 million in loans per business earlier proposed by the government may not be sufficient, as well as Bt3,000 financial aid for workers.

The economic cabinet earlier proposed to extend the payment deadline for cooperate income tax as well as other kinds of tax such as the value added tax (VAT), withholding tax and building and land tax for 180 days for protest-hit entrepreneurs.

The economic cabinet team will liaise with the Small-and Medium-Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand to offer low-interest loans to affected business operators with overall credit lines of Bt5 billion.

The RSTA chairman, however, advised the government to offer more aid and the association will again propose the figure of financial assistance to Mr Korbsak.

A hotline RSTA centre has also been set up to hear complaints from affected business operators throughout the day and will coordinate with the government to find aid measures. (TNA)