Southern line trains resume service

Southern line trains resume service

BANGKOK, Oct 22 (TNA) – Passengers flock to use train service after more southern bound trains resume operation on Thursday with six trains scheduled to run to the capital Thursday.

However, most local trains in the region remain suspended while two trains from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat and to Yala will run to the terminal at Hat Yai station and not to destinations in the far South, according to a TNA reporter.

SRT labour union Hat Yai branch president Wirun Sakaekum said four locomotive engines and carriages were brought from Hat Yai station to Bangkok to serve passengers during the long holidays this weekend.

The locomotives were earlier claimed to be in need of major maintenance by the union, which kept them on sidings at Hat Yai station.

However, SRT management has not dispatched the special locomotives to be used in the three southern border provinces as previously announced, so train service can’t run in the southern provinces, said Mr Wirun.

Locomotives running to Hat Yai were not moved to the maintenance area for mechanical servicing and union mechanics are worried that they might not be safe to operate, he added.

Armed police take control of locomotives arriving at Hat Yai station, he said, suggesting that it may tarnish the image of Thailand’s train services.

The union leader said he would meet local SRT management to seek sending special locomotives to the southern border provinces as agreed in a meeting on Thursday.

Train services, in particular its southern routes, were to be fully operational on Thursday after being suspended much of the week due to the work stoppage, Transport Minister Sopon Zarum said after meeting with relevant officials Wednesday.

Regarding four of the engines claimed defective by local ST workers, Mr Sopon said that senior railway staff would move all four locomotives from Hat Yai to the SRT central switchyards in Bangkok for servicing Thursday.

The SRT has cooperated with military and police units to tighten security at railway stations, particularly on the southern routes, for passenger safety.  (TNA)

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