Thailand's national police chief said yesterday that he personally believes the only way to resolve the country's political crisis is for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign.
In a rare departure from the police force's official impartiality, General Archirawit Suphanaphesat Archirawit told reporters he had sent a personal letter to Thaksin "urging him not to resume the premiership" even if his Thai Rak Thai party wins a majority in elections next month.
Meanwhile, Thailand's biggest labor unions yesterday threw their support behind protesters seeking to oust Thaksin, as the premier vowed to fight to "preserve democracy."
"We have to show our force until Thaksin gets out," said Pean Yongnu, who heads a group representing 300,000 workers at Thailand's water and electrical utilities.
"The Network is calling on state enterprise workers to exercise their rights to take leave to join the People's Alliance for Democracy until Thaksin resigns," Pean said.
Pean's Network to Protect Electricity and Waters for Public -- a coalition of unions at the utilities, which are the five biggest state enterprises -- is the country's biggest labor group.
He said his group would try to convince unions at the 37 other state enterprises to join the protests when their leaders meet on Friday.
Pean said state workers were angry with Thaksin's attempt to privatize state enterprises and delays in awarding salary increases.
The announcement marked a major boost for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a loose coalition of anti-Thaksin groups with little in common other their opposition to a premier who is still believed to enjoy widespread support, especially in the countryside.
Thaksin was in Bangkok early yesterday for his weekly Cabinet meeting, but planned to return upcountry later in the day to push his campaign to keep his job.
"I have to fight to uphold democratic rule, which is under threat by groups of people and political parties who are moving against democracy. I am ready to sacrifice my life," he said.
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