ID :
85316
Tue, 10/20/2009 - 19:09
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http://m.oananews.org//node/85316
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Cabinet approves short term measures to resolve rail crisis
HUA HIN, Oct 20 (TNA) - The cabinet on Tuesday approved short term measures to deal with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) service stoppage, and the transport ministry said there would be no talks with its union until the staff return to work and resume train services.
Transport Minister Sophon Zarum told reporters after the cabinet met that it approved the SRT executive board’s amending its regulations, allowing 120 intern engineers already employed by the state agency, and volunteer retired train drivers to stand-in for the train drivers on leave who have caused the rail service suspension.
The minister said that now SRT has enough drivers and will bring four locomotives from Hat Yai Station to run a special train from Kanchanaburi to Padang Besar, a Thai-Malaysian border town in Songkhla’s Sadao district.
As for fears regarding train safety when operating in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, Mr Sophon said he sought help from Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan for security personnel to ensure passenger safety.
For long-term solution to the train problem, Mr Sophon said the ministry has three weeks to submit a plan to cabinet’s consideration.
The cabinet addressed a walkout by SRT staff who have been off the job since Friday, forcing the suspension of all southern train services. Almost all long-haul routes from Bangkok's Hua Lampong station were forced to stop at Surat Thani.
The SRT union asked for urgent repairs on at least seven locomotives, saying more than a dozen others needed serious maintenance, claiming that SRT management ignored their demands for necessary maintenance.
Meanwhile SRT union chief Sawit Kaewwan said that group is ready for talks with SRT executives and the transport minister.
To reach a solution, Mr Sawit proposed that Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart mediate talks to end the stoppage.
He said that Gen Sanan helped end the previous rail service stoppage after the union held a nationwide strike oppose SRT’s restructuring.
The union also asked the executives to agree to confirm maintenance on the railway engines.
Currently 140 locomotives are in workable condition, but SRT could not guarantee safety due to 12 defective engines still needing maintenance, costing around 100 million baht (US$2.9 million).
Train services at Hat Yai station can be resumed, but SRT workers were unable to guarantee safety.
If there are accidents or problems, SRT executives, not workers, would take responsibilities, according to the union.
Meanwhile, railway service suspension was seem to be expanded to the northern routes after Booncherd Arjbua, union chief in Uttaradit, where the union rallied at the railway station.
These staff had threatened to stop its services if there was intention to give false reports which may mislead the public about the union.
At Uttaradit station, passengers were stranded for an hour without being told of delays.
Many passengers retain confidence in SRT and made advance bookings at Hat Yai station for the next three to four days as they believed the problem could be solved quickly.
However, most passengers opted for ticket refunds. During the past four days at Hat Yai were refunded over 1 million baht (US$29,976) to angry passengers.
Meanwhile, talks between SRT and the union in Hat Yai failed as the union could not bring four engines from the maintenance centre to Bangkok to resume suspended services. (TNA)
Transport Minister Sophon Zarum told reporters after the cabinet met that it approved the SRT executive board’s amending its regulations, allowing 120 intern engineers already employed by the state agency, and volunteer retired train drivers to stand-in for the train drivers on leave who have caused the rail service suspension.
The minister said that now SRT has enough drivers and will bring four locomotives from Hat Yai Station to run a special train from Kanchanaburi to Padang Besar, a Thai-Malaysian border town in Songkhla’s Sadao district.
As for fears regarding train safety when operating in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, Mr Sophon said he sought help from Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan for security personnel to ensure passenger safety.
For long-term solution to the train problem, Mr Sophon said the ministry has three weeks to submit a plan to cabinet’s consideration.
The cabinet addressed a walkout by SRT staff who have been off the job since Friday, forcing the suspension of all southern train services. Almost all long-haul routes from Bangkok's Hua Lampong station were forced to stop at Surat Thani.
The SRT union asked for urgent repairs on at least seven locomotives, saying more than a dozen others needed serious maintenance, claiming that SRT management ignored their demands for necessary maintenance.
Meanwhile SRT union chief Sawit Kaewwan said that group is ready for talks with SRT executives and the transport minister.
To reach a solution, Mr Sawit proposed that Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart mediate talks to end the stoppage.
He said that Gen Sanan helped end the previous rail service stoppage after the union held a nationwide strike oppose SRT’s restructuring.
The union also asked the executives to agree to confirm maintenance on the railway engines.
Currently 140 locomotives are in workable condition, but SRT could not guarantee safety due to 12 defective engines still needing maintenance, costing around 100 million baht (US$2.9 million).
Train services at Hat Yai station can be resumed, but SRT workers were unable to guarantee safety.
If there are accidents or problems, SRT executives, not workers, would take responsibilities, according to the union.
Meanwhile, railway service suspension was seem to be expanded to the northern routes after Booncherd Arjbua, union chief in Uttaradit, where the union rallied at the railway station.
These staff had threatened to stop its services if there was intention to give false reports which may mislead the public about the union.
At Uttaradit station, passengers were stranded for an hour without being told of delays.
Many passengers retain confidence in SRT and made advance bookings at Hat Yai station for the next three to four days as they believed the problem could be solved quickly.
However, most passengers opted for ticket refunds. During the past four days at Hat Yai were refunded over 1 million baht (US$29,976) to angry passengers.
Meanwhile, talks between SRT and the union in Hat Yai failed as the union could not bring four engines from the maintenance centre to Bangkok to resume suspended services. (TNA)
