ID :
85446
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:37
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/85446
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First train pulls into Hat Yai after 5-day hiatus
SONGKHLA, Oct 21 (TNA) – The first Bangkok-Yala train arrived in Hat Yai, the commercial centre of southern Thailand, pulling into the normally bustling rail station Wednesday morning after a five-day hiatus of southern rail services.
The State Railways of Thailand (SRT) Bangkok-Yala train route number 169 reached Hat Yai train station in this southern railways hub with security provided by a contingent of 200 border patrol police officers as well as by a special railways security unit.
Meanwhile, there were only a small number of commuters at the station as travellers remained uncertain that the railways service was in operation.
At the initial stage of service resumption, the Bangkok-Yala trains stopped at Hat Yai station and transferred their passengers to destinations further South by bus.
The State Railways of Thailand (SRT) Tuesday evening resumed three routes in the South after the services were suspended since Friday.
At Surat Thani station, many prospective riders came to use local train services, which resumed for the first day.
Last Friday, SRT labour union members abruptly halted services mainly on South-bound trains and a few heading for the Northeast, citing the need to repair the trains.
Their action came after a derailment in the resort town of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on October 5 which left seven passengers dead and injured nearly 90 others.
Insisting that the Ministry of Transport and SRT management must help solve the railway’s locomotive engine problems to ensure the safety of passengers, SRT labour union head Sawit Kaewwan said between 80-90 per cent out of the total 196 locomotives owned by SRT are unfit to provide services to passengers.
More than 10 of them cannot be used for both cargo and passenger services due to the lack of spare parts.
He said a proposal to repair the locomotives was sent to SRT executives eight years ago in 2001, but nothing happened since then due to the shortage of spare parts. (TNA)
The State Railways of Thailand (SRT) Bangkok-Yala train route number 169 reached Hat Yai train station in this southern railways hub with security provided by a contingent of 200 border patrol police officers as well as by a special railways security unit.
Meanwhile, there were only a small number of commuters at the station as travellers remained uncertain that the railways service was in operation.
At the initial stage of service resumption, the Bangkok-Yala trains stopped at Hat Yai station and transferred their passengers to destinations further South by bus.
The State Railways of Thailand (SRT) Tuesday evening resumed three routes in the South after the services were suspended since Friday.
At Surat Thani station, many prospective riders came to use local train services, which resumed for the first day.
Last Friday, SRT labour union members abruptly halted services mainly on South-bound trains and a few heading for the Northeast, citing the need to repair the trains.
Their action came after a derailment in the resort town of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on October 5 which left seven passengers dead and injured nearly 90 others.
Insisting that the Ministry of Transport and SRT management must help solve the railway’s locomotive engine problems to ensure the safety of passengers, SRT labour union head Sawit Kaewwan said between 80-90 per cent out of the total 196 locomotives owned by SRT are unfit to provide services to passengers.
More than 10 of them cannot be used for both cargo and passenger services due to the lack of spare parts.
He said a proposal to repair the locomotives was sent to SRT executives eight years ago in 2001, but nothing happened since then due to the shortage of spare parts. (TNA)
