 In August 2005 , Thai workers rioted over the draconian treatment they received as foreign workers . These workers lived in poor conditions and had limited freedom . The Chen administration vowed to take action on August 25 . Chen apologized to the public for the social turmoil caused by the incident and offered to resign three times . Then @-@ premier Frank Hsieh authorized Chen 's resignation on September 12 , and replaced him with former vice premier Yeh Chu @-@ lan . 
