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Source:

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080501/tap-as-gen-thailand-may-day-7934085.html



BANGKOK, Thailand - Thousands of workers rallied in Bangkok on the May Day laborers' holiday Thursday, demanding the government raise the minimum wage to help them cope with soaring commodity prices.



About 3,000 protesters, waving flags and carrying banners and placards outside the prime minister's office compound, called for the minimum wage to be raised to 233 baht (US$7.36; 4.74) a day and for price controls on commodities.

Many workers in the capital earn less than 200 baht (US$6.32; 4.07) a day. The city's minimum wage is 191 baht (US$6.03; 3.88).

"The rice price is going up but the labor wage remains stagnant," Wilaiwan Saetia, president of the Thai Labor Solidarity Committee, told the crowd from a makeshift stage on the back of a truck.The cost of rice, the staple of the Thai diet, has tripled here since January.

Demonstrators set up a mock banquet table, at which sat a man wearing a mask of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

"The government has a duty to help poor people, not just the capitalists, especially those who have political influence," Wilaiwan said.

Samak once hosted a TV cooking show and is known for his culinary skills. His government came to power in February and critics say it has been slow to tackle rising living costs for the poor and working class.

On Tuesday, however, Samak said his government will start selling 5-kilogram (11-pound) bags of rice from state stockpiles for 170 baht (US$5.37; 3.46). The current market price is around 200 baht (US$6.32; 4.07).

Labor groups called for legal amendments to protect workers' rights and improve working conditions. They also urged the government to reconsider its policy to privatize state enterprises.

Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan said the government would consider the workers' demands before taking any action.