Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

In a dramatic scene on Thursday morning, a man wielding an electric saw attempted to enter Bangkok's Government House, claiming his protest was over unpaid wages for construction work on a government hospital. The incident unfolded at approximately 8.20am at entrance gate 4, along Phitsanulok Road, causing alarm among officials and passersby.

 

Dressed in an orange vest and long trousers, the man, identified as 53-year-old Chalerm Sonnathi from Nan province, kept his power saw running as he approached the entrance. His actions prompted a swift response from police and security personnel, who erected steel barricades to prevent access and managed to defuse the situation without incident.

 

Authorities escorted Mr Chalerm to the government’s complaint centre across the street, where he explained his grievance. According to Mr Chalerm, he has repeatedly visited the Government House since the tenure of former Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, seeking owed payment for his work on the hospital project.

 

Officials familiar with Mr Chalerm noted that he has staged several protests in the area over various grievances. Notably, he once climbed a tree outside the Government House fence on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road and, back in 2015, scaled a police station rooftop to unfurl a protest sign.

 

Thursday's protest concluded without any injuries, thanks to the effective intervention by police forces. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding labour disputes and grievances within government projects. While the protest was resolved, it underscores the need for dialogue and proactive measures to address such issues before they escalate into public demonstrations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-12

 

 

Seems Elon started a trend !

A lone protester, best of luck

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

In a dramatic scene on Thursday morning, a man wielding an electric saw attempted to enter Bangkok's Government House, claiming his protest was over unpaid wages for construction work on a government hospital. The incident unfolded at approximately 8.20am at entrance gate 4, along Phitsanulok Road, causing alarm among officials and passersby.

 

Dressed in an orange vest and long trousers, the man, identified as 53-year-old Chalerm Sonnathi from Nan province, kept his power saw running as he approached the entrance. His actions prompted a swift response from police and security personnel, who erected steel barricades to prevent access and managed to defuse the situation without incident.

 

Authorities escorted Mr Chalerm to the government’s complaint centre across the street, where he explained his grievance. According to Mr Chalerm, he has repeatedly visited the Government House since the tenure of former Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, seeking owed payment for his work on the hospital project.

 

Officials familiar with Mr Chalerm noted that he has staged several protests in the area over various grievances. Notably, he once climbed a tree outside the Government House fence on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road and, back in 2015, scaled a police station rooftop to unfurl a protest sign.

 

Thursday's protest concluded without any injuries, thanks to the effective intervention by police forces. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding labour disputes and grievances within government projects. While the protest was resolved, it underscores the need for dialogue and proactive measures to address such issues before they escalate into public demonstrations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-12

 

 

And....is he untitled to further payment? This would be interesting.

Just pay the workers. They have families to feed, you know. Don't keep the money for only your own pockets. This is illegal and evil.

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

A lone protester, best of luck

 

 

Yes indeed, but a cut above the others!