ID :
86599
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 21:10
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http://m.oananews.org//node/86599
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Trains to deep South to resume services Thursday
SONGKHLA, Oct 28 (TNA) - Thailand's train services to the violence-plagued southern border region, now suspended for two weeks, will resume Thursday following successful negotiations between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Hat Yat branch of the SRT labour union, said Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam Wednesday.
Mr Thavorn was a mediator in Wednesday's talk between SRT executives and managers, the union and concerned agencies at Hat Yai Junction.
He said the meeting resolved to officially resume only some rail services to the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala from Thursday morning as time is needed for train traffic system management decisions and examination of the condition of locomotives and trailers two weeks sitting idle.
Mr Thavorn added that a special committee composed of central railway staff and those from the SRT union in Hat Yai will be set up to inspect the condition of locomotives and other rolling stock, as well as communications and switching equipment.
The deputy interior minister said that full services of short and long-haul trains will resume within three days.
Mr Thavorn however said the government will not intervene in conflicts between the SRT and its labour union as it is an internal affair.
Meanwhile, SRT Governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said he has ordered the firing of six SRT workers at Hat Yai Junction for committing ‘drastic offences’.
The governor said one was Virun Sakaekum, head of the SRT union at Hat Yai, and six other workers who violated a court order instructing that train services must operate. He said that ignoring the injunction caused further damage to the SRT.
Mr Yuthana said the SRT also filed complaint with the Labour Court against another two central railway workers who are key leaders of the union for inciting other workers to stop work and obstructing the operation of southbound train services.
Rail services in the South stopped abruptly on October 16 due to large numbers of SRT staff taking sick leave and holiday time, leaving insufficient qualified staff to operate the trains. Workers said they feared the state of disrepair of the railway’s aging locomotives, demanding that the engines the locomotives and their trailers must be fully repaired and declared fit for operation.
Rail service to some destinations resumed during the nearly two-week stoppage, but service to the southernmost provinces had altogether ceased.
Many railway workers claimed they feared for the their safety as there are still attacks by insurgents, but the SRT governor said the trains were well-prepared and up to standard. Security personnel were also assigned to ensure the safety of drivers, workers and passengers.
The cabinet on Tuesday approved hiring 171 new professional staff for SRT to reduce its current staff shortage and reduced services, and revoked its resolution of July 24, 2008, limiting the numbers of SRT staff. The action followed the fatal derailment in Prachuap Khiri Khan on October 5 which left seven people dead.
On Wednesday morning the first train to the deep South since mid-October departed Hat Yai Junction bound for Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok, amid tight security. (TNA)
Mr Thavorn was a mediator in Wednesday's talk between SRT executives and managers, the union and concerned agencies at Hat Yai Junction.
He said the meeting resolved to officially resume only some rail services to the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala from Thursday morning as time is needed for train traffic system management decisions and examination of the condition of locomotives and trailers two weeks sitting idle.
Mr Thavorn added that a special committee composed of central railway staff and those from the SRT union in Hat Yai will be set up to inspect the condition of locomotives and other rolling stock, as well as communications and switching equipment.
The deputy interior minister said that full services of short and long-haul trains will resume within three days.
Mr Thavorn however said the government will not intervene in conflicts between the SRT and its labour union as it is an internal affair.
Meanwhile, SRT Governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said he has ordered the firing of six SRT workers at Hat Yai Junction for committing ‘drastic offences’.
The governor said one was Virun Sakaekum, head of the SRT union at Hat Yai, and six other workers who violated a court order instructing that train services must operate. He said that ignoring the injunction caused further damage to the SRT.
Mr Yuthana said the SRT also filed complaint with the Labour Court against another two central railway workers who are key leaders of the union for inciting other workers to stop work and obstructing the operation of southbound train services.
Rail services in the South stopped abruptly on October 16 due to large numbers of SRT staff taking sick leave and holiday time, leaving insufficient qualified staff to operate the trains. Workers said they feared the state of disrepair of the railway’s aging locomotives, demanding that the engines the locomotives and their trailers must be fully repaired and declared fit for operation.
Rail service to some destinations resumed during the nearly two-week stoppage, but service to the southernmost provinces had altogether ceased.
Many railway workers claimed they feared for the their safety as there are still attacks by insurgents, but the SRT governor said the trains were well-prepared and up to standard. Security personnel were also assigned to ensure the safety of drivers, workers and passengers.
The cabinet on Tuesday approved hiring 171 new professional staff for SRT to reduce its current staff shortage and reduced services, and revoked its resolution of July 24, 2008, limiting the numbers of SRT staff. The action followed the fatal derailment in Prachuap Khiri Khan on October 5 which left seven people dead.
On Wednesday morning the first train to the deep South since mid-October departed Hat Yai Junction bound for Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok, amid tight security. (TNA)
