Bangkok: Pressure on the director-general of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) to quit has quickly proved too much for the authority, who have announced a successor. Viroj Chongchansittho was the focus for PAT employees’ anger of a simmering dispute about overtime pay, something that saw port operations in Bangkok disrupted last weekend as workers went on strike. Viroj has now resigned and Itthichai Suphankul, PAT deputy director-general, will take over the position on April 1.
Meanwhile, the Thai Federation on Logistics has warned shipping lines are being forced to pay bribes at Bangkok port to get their boxes moved. Thongyu Khongkhan, the federation's chief adviser, claims operators are being forced to pay an extra 50 baht each to have an empty container lifted, and an extra 100 baht for a full container. [20/02/13]
