Transport Ministry bows to bus workers' union demandStaff of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority rally in front of the Transport Ministry on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok on Thursday. The workers strongly opposed the ministry's plan to franchise more private bus operators to provide services, replacing services operated by the loss-ridden BMTA. However, the ministry had not agreed with the demand by the bus workers' union that the BMTA would operate at least 137 routes, with the others going to private operators. BMTA workers' union president Boonma Pongma said the union also urged the Transport Ministry to quickly appoint a new executive board. He said the labour union had also sought support from the opposition, in case the Transport Ministry makes policy decisions that adversely affect employees of the city bus state enterprise.

Source: Bangkok Post November 21, 2019 10:30 UTC