Another train derailment in Thailand

Thailand Het laatste Thailand nieuws
1

TRAIN ACCIDENT THAILAND

UPDATE

Published: 5/10/2009 at 10:49 AM
Online news: Local News

A train bound for Bangkok from Trang derailed near Hua Hin early Monday morning, killing seven passengers, according to th State Railway of Thailand, including a 2-year-old girl, and injuring many others.

In a statement released late this afternoon, the SRT said the accident killed seven people, all female, and injured about 70 others.

The dead victims – all Thais – were Kanokluck Thaboonrueng, 2; Orapin Jaijit, 42; Naruman Nayasontarakul, 50; Wimol Somjing, 43; Kalayakorn Somjing, 41; Bowornrat Teeveevej, 30 and Sanruethai Nim, 39.

The figures released by the SRT conflicted with earlier reports, quoting officials, that as many as 10 people were killed and up to 88 people were injured.

Of the injured, one foreigner suffered broken ribs and other injuries, Chatree Charoencheewakun, director of the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand, said.

Four other foreigners suffered minor injuries, he said. Their nationalities were not immediately known.

The cause of the accident was still unknown but it could be due to damaged tracks, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) officials said.

About a half-dozen of the train’s 16 carriages went off the rails as it approached Khao Tao station in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district about 4.42am in heavy rain.

The accident closed the southern railway route.

At least one victim was crushed between train carriages, Mr Yuthana said.

“We regret the loss of life and we are investigating the cause of the accident,” Mr Yuthana said.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai ordered his deputy Manit Nopamornbodee and medical teams to the site to help the injured passengers.

Mr Yuthana said an accident investigation team had begun inspecting the scene. It could be a day or so before the damaged train could be righted and moved away.

Rapid train services between Bangkok and the southern region have been suspended following the derailment in Hua Hin on Monday morning, Thanong Pongprasert, director of the State Railways of Thailand’s southern centre said.

Services would be halted for a day or two.

Passengers who have purchased the tickets will be given full refunds, Mr Thanong said.

Mr Yuthana said it would take a day at least to remove the derailed train off the track.

The Thai News Agency reported that a preliminary investigation suggested that a switching error might have caused the derailment. There was no confirmation of the report.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva extended condolences to people affected by the train tragedy.

He said he would go to visit the injured passengers and inspect the accident site after he finished his work at Government House.
Appointed Senator Jaruk Anupong, who is the senate’s transport committee chairman, criticised the government over the incident, saying it was too slow to improve the railway system.

"The rails should be bigger and there are a lot of old and damaged rails that must be repaired or replaced.

“When train accidents happened, the consequences are often worse than normal in accidents. The government should pay more attention to rail and marine transportation because they can help save fuel and are alternatives for commuters,” Mr Jaruk said.

For information on the change of train schedules, call 1690.

Injured passengers were taken to Pranburi Hospital (tel: 032-621-757), Hua Hin Hospital (tel: 032-523-000), Sanpaulo Hua Hin Hospital (tel: 032-532-576) and Thanarat Hospital (tel: 032-621-341)

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

2

**Driver may have dozed off, says top SRT source **

Published: 6/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Driver carelessness is suspected as a possible cause of a train derailment at Khao Tao station in Prachuap Khiri Khan which has left eight people dead and another 88 injured.

Rescue workers comb through the wreckage of a train which derailed yesterday morning near Khao Tao station in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, killing eight people and injuring dozens of passengers. CHAIWAT SADYAEM

The Bangkok-bound express train from Trang derailed at Khao Tao station in Hua Hin district at 4.47am yesterday.

It left Trang at 5.20pm on Sunday and was supposed to arrive in Bangkok at 8.25am.

Twelve of 14 carriages on the train left the track, with six of them overturning and one slamming into the ground. Four carriages were badly damaged with the first railway staff car being the worst hit.

The State Railway of Thailand has estimated the damage from one of the deadliest accidents in Thai railway history to be at least 100 million baht.

The train was driven by Roengsak Panthep with Uthai Raksakhet the engineer. Mr Roengsak fled the scene.

Normally, a train has one driver and an assistant who is an engineer.

The SRT said Mr Roengsak failed to slow the train when approaching Khao Tao station to switch over to a second track as the main track was occupied by a southbound freight train.

The northbound train was travelling at 105km/h, too fast to get on to the other track, and that caused the derailment, said PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, who paid a visit to the scene.

SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen, who also rushed to the scene, believed human error was the most likely cause because the driver had ignored an alert from Khao Tao station staff about the parked freight train.

But the SRT governor also did not rule out two other possibilities: poor weather conditions caused by heavy rain and the train’s old equipment.

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum promised to shed light on the cause of the accident in five days.

A high-ranking SRT source suspected the driver might have dozed off before the accident.

The source said Mr Roengsak jumped the light at Wang Phong station, which is eight kilometres south of Khao Tao.

Mr Sathit said Mr Roengsak did not answer a radio call from Wang Phong to alert him of the other train parked on the main track at Khao Tao after seeing his train go through the signal light at Wang Phong.

SRT union leader Sawit Kaeowan said Mr Roengsak might not have been well rested before taking over control of the train at Chumphon station from another driver who was at the controls from Trang.

The labour union blamed shortages for staff being overworked. The SRT has been forced by a cabinet resolution issued on July 28, 1998 to replace only 5% of staff who retire or resign.

The SRT has 2,200 drivers who handle 200 trains and 2,000 engineers. “The present workforce is not sufficient,” Mr Sawit said.

He said the SRT needed 300 more drivers and 500 additional engineers.

Most drivers end up working double shifts, the union leader said.

More than 100 local rescue workers and soldiers, as well as rescue workers from Bangkok and nearby provinces, were deployed yesterday at the scene to help the victims amid heavy rain.

Rescue workers found six dead women and a child, Kanoklak Thaboonruang, 2. The dead women were identified as Orapin Jaijit, 42, Narueman Nayasunthornkul, 50, Wimol Somjing, 43, her sister Kalayakorn Somjing, 41, Bowonrat Thivavej, 25, and Sanruethai Nim from Bangkok.
The bodies were transported to Hua Hin Hospital.

The eighth victim found later yesterday has yet to be identified, Mr Sathit said.

Six of the injured were foreigners.

Most injured had their wounds treated and were discharged from hospital.
Twenty-two were admitted to Pran Buri, San Paulo Hua Hin and Hua Hin hospitals.

Cranes were used to move damaged carriages and rescue workers collected passengers’ belongings and sent them to Hua Hin and Khao Tao railway stations.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also visited the scene.

He said the southern line service could reopen today after all safety measures had been checked.

The accident caused the cancellation of 28 other passenger trains and five freight trains yesterday.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

3

**Finds he was reckless, violated regulations **

Published: 13/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

A fact-finding panel looking into the cause of the Oct 5 train derailment in Hua Hin has proposed that the driver be dismissed.

A State Railway of Thailand union member takes SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen to task for alleged mismanagement and calls on him to resign in a rally at the Transport Ministry. The union says one problem with the governor is his failure to keep train travel safe for passengers. APICHART JINAKUL

State Railway of Thailand deputy governor Pakorn Tangjetsakao yesterday said the committee found the derailment was mainly caused by the recklessness of driver Roengsak Panthep.

The committee found Mr Roengsak had violated train driving regulations and should be dismissed.

The investigation found the driver of the Trang-Bangkok express train dozed off after taking antihistamines and fever relief medication while on duty.

The train jumped a light at Wang Phong station and derailed at Khao Tao station in Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan as it was shifted at high speed on to another track to avoid a collision with a parked freight train.

The committee also found the driver suffered from hypertension and had not been drinking before the journey. He had also had only one day off, Sept 14, between September and Oct 5.

The panel also recommended a 15% cut in the salary of Bowornrat Suatim, the train’s engineer, and train attendant Uthai Raksaket for 10 months for failing to help monitor signals and switch tracks to ensure the safety of the train.

Mr Bowornrat said he saw Mr Roengsak take his medication.

He himself did not hear radio warnings from train stations due to a hearing problem.

Seven passengers were killed and 88 injured in the accident at Khao Tao station.

Mr Pakorn said the SRT would set up a disciplinary committee in the coming days to consider the exact punishment for the staff involved.

They were suspended from work as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, members of the SRT union rallied in front of the Transport Ministry on Ratchadamnoen Avenue yesterday to demand the dismissal of SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen in a week.

Union leader Sawit Kaeowan said a series of train derailments had resulted from SRT management ignorance.

Mr Sawit said train staff were forced to work every day because a cabinet resolution limited the SRT’s recruitment. The SRT management had failed to fight for a solution to the staff shortage which was exhausting train drivers.

It was unfair for the SRT management to blame train accidents on railway staff alone, Mr Sawit said.

There was a series of derailments in Kanchanaburi before the derailment last week in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

4

**FEARS STRIKES COULD CRIPPLE NATION **

Published: 18/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Transport Ministry has been ordered to solve the train drivers’ dispute, amid fears the work stoppages could spread nationwide.

Angry unionists organised the stoppages after claiming many trains were faulty and saying they feared another deadly derailment.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had instructed Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum to ensure a prompt resumption of suspended train services.

State Railway of Thailand chief engineer Krit Salongchaithawat acknowledged there may be an attempt by the union to launch a nationwide strike. The SRT would try to talk the unionists into giving up any plan for a nationwide disruption.

The stoppages mostly affect southern trains originating from the Hat Yai junction in Songkhla, the nerve centre of rail traffic in the lower South.

At the Hat Yai junction yesterday, 18 more train drivers and mechanics took leave of absence, stopping at least eight trains passing through the station including the long-haul Sungai Kolok-Bangkok service.

Most local trains from Hat Yai to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon were also suspended indefinitely.

On Friday, unionists refused to operate services on 10 southern and four northeastern routes, claiming there were faults in the locomotives.

Engineers and technical experts, however, said they checked the engines and reported no problems. Mr Abhisit said there was no reason for the work stoppages and the ministry must find out why so many unionists suddenly handed in their leave letters.

Mr Sohpon said he has named a panel to investigate the matter. He threatened disciplinary action against the workers and those who approved their leave if their absence was without good reason.

Mr Sohpon rejected the union’s claim that the train engines were not in working order. He said the engines might look old but they were regularly inspected.

The union said it had to ground the engines to prevent a repeat of the fatal derailment in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Oct 5 at the Khao Tao station.
Seven passengers died and 88 were injured in the accident which occurred after the driver passed out at the controls. The driver has been dismissed.

Mr Sohpon deplored the work stoppages but promised to act swiftly against the management if they were incompetent, as alleged by the union.

State Railway of Thailand deputy governor Prachak Manotham said workers on other suspended routes had returned to work yesterday.

Mr Prachak said substitute drivers and mechanics would be put to work so services could return to normal.

The union earlier attacked the management for ordering a transfer of some staff, which it deemed unfair.

Wiroon Sakaekhum, head of Hat Yai railway union, said two workers at the Hat Yai junction and the Pak Nam Pho station in Nakhon Sawan were transferred under an urgent order to the SRT headquarters in Bangkok.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

5

Published: 18/10/2009 at 12:47 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

The Bangkok - Trang train abruptly stopped at Lamae railway station in Chumphon province on Sunday morning and about 2,000 passengers were told to get off, a State Railway of Thailand source said.

The passengers were told by train staff that the train could not proceed to the destination out of safety concern because there would be a protest at a protest at Hat Yai and other railway stations in the South.

About 20 buses were arranged for the passengers to proceed to their destinations.

In a similar incident, the Bangkok - Nakhon Si Thammarat train also stopped at Lang Suan railway station in Chumphon, causing about 1,000 passengers to have been left stranded there because there were not enough buses to take them.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

6

Published: 19/10/2009 at 04:47 PM

The government will take quick action to end the railway workers’ strike in the South, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.
But striking drivers showed no indication of bending.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union has halted all train services in the South, citing the need to repair old locomotives to ensure passengers’ safety.

Their action has stranded thousands of travellers, with the SRT estimating lost revenue from passenger and freight services at 15 million baht a day.

The Prime minister said SRT executives had decided to solve this problem in the short run by asking other staff to work temporarily as train drivers.

The cabinet meeting on Tuesday would consider Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum’s proposals to ensure a resumption of southern train operations. He expected all trains would be running again in one or two days.

The union has treatend to extend industrial action and close down Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong central train station if the government penalises railway staff who went on strike. Mr Abhisit said negotiations would be unlikely if they were found to be in the wrong in the first place.

“The government will see whether the problem stems from conflict between the SRT labour union members and executives, or from their concern for people’s safety. The investigation will be carried out straight-forwardly,” Mr Abhisit said.

Mr Sohpon echoed the same message and also vowed to end the rail strike in a day or two.

Retired train staff would be put back to work as drivers to replace those who had taken leave and caused the suspension of south-bound rail services, he said.

He would also ask 121 temporary staff who graduated from the railway engineering school to work temporarily as train drivers.

The minister said he was still looking into related laws and regulations on the possibility of putting this in action.

Mr Sohpon called on railway union to end the strike, comply with rules and regulations and listen to the opinions of all concerned.

Transport permanent secretary Sopote Saplom said after a meeting on measures to help people affected by the strike that buses were being arranged to take stranded passengers to their destinations and they would be provided with food and drinks.

SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said trains in other parts of the country were operating as usual. Some South-bound trains were still running to Surat Thani.

He said 241 out of the 2,200 train staff all over the country had taken leave.

On Monday, the State Railway of Thailand filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division against the striking locomotive drivers.

It was lodged by Virat Chantharat, chief of the Legal Investigation Division. He attached to the complaint two CDs containing pictures of the drivers staging a work stoppage.

Mr Virat said the damage from work stoppages at Hat Yai, Thung Song and Pak Nam Pho railway stations, amounted to about 15 million baht per day in lost revenues.

Moreover, a company that hired the SRT to deliver cargoes from the South to Laem Chabang sea port in Chon Buri was about to sue the SRT because the goods had not reached their destination. A committee would be set up to investigate this matter. Those who were found at fault would be liable to punishment, he said.

On the drivers’ claim that train locomotives were in disrepair, he said the SRT engineering staff had confirmed that they were in working condition and the were still being used on the northern and northeastern routes.

Mr Virat said the strike had badly damaged the SRT’s reputation.

“Action must be taken against those who have broken regulations. Those found at fault must take the responsibility,” he said.

Suan Dusit Rajabhat University released the results of a public survey about the strike. The poll found that nearly three out of every four people disagree with the rail union’s decision to go on strike over its conflict with the management.

The pollsters surveyed 1,064 people in Bangkok and nearby provinces on Oct 18 and 19.

They said 73.07 per cent of respondents disagreed with the union’s action, saying that it should have instead submitted a protest letter, while 12.36 per cent supported the rail workers and 14.61 per cent had no comment.

Those who agreed said it was the only way to get the management to pay serious attention to the problems.

Asked whether it was reasonable for the rail union to have cited locomotives in disrepair as a reason to efuse to drive hem until they had been completely repaired, 50.54 per cent answered “no”, 32.97 per cent said “yes”, and 16.49 per cent did not comment.

Those who answered “no” said the union should have informed the public in advance of their intention to stop work. Those who said “yes” said that all locomotives should in good condition.

Asked whether the rail strike was political, 32.72 per cent said “yes”, 25.41 per cent “no”, and 41.87 per cent were uncertain.

On ways of solving the dispute, 33.16 per cent said the two sides in conflict should quickly open negotiations and resume train services, 27.29 per cent said the SRT governor should come out to explain the problem to the public, 22.80 per cent said the SRT should be completely overhauled, 10.72 per cent said the government should intervene as soon as possible, and 6.03 per cent said the private sector should run train services.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

7

**Extra drivers needed to break deadlock **

Published: 20/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Transport Ministry is seeking cabinet approval to recruit more rail staff to ease the shortage caused by drivers who have walked off the job.

Nadia Payarang smiles happily yesterday after boarding an express train to Trang at Hua Lamphong railway station. The young child was among hundreds of passengers stranded in Bangkok following a strike by train drivers. Passengers on the Trang train will have to get off in Surat Thani and continue their journey by bus. JETJARAS NA RANONG

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum yesterday said his ministry would ask the cabinet today to consider relaxing a July 28 cabinet resolution imposing a headcount freeze on the number of state employees.

If approved, the proposal would pave the way for the recruitment of 171 new staff to stand in for train drivers who are out on strike, disrupting train services and stranding thousands of passengers, particularly in the South.

Mr Sohpon has signed an order appointing four committees to look into the problems besetting the State Railway of Thailand.

The committees will look into problems involving the SRT’s management structure, scrutinise its financial standing, compile information on its assets and liabilities, and examine its regulations and practices.

The findings will be submitted to the panel of economic ministers and the government for use as a basis for a major overhaul of the railways. The findings are expected in three weeks.

Mr Sohpon said he was ready to talk with the SRT union to solve the problems and would do all he could to ensure train services returned to normal within three days.

SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said 241 rail staff requested leave yesterday. About 30 south-bound trains were held up.

The strike has cost the SRT 16.5 million baht over the past three days.

This includes 10.5 million baht in passenger fares and 6 million baht from lost freight rates.

Mr Yutthana said new staff standing in for train drivers who have walked off the job would include mechanics who have received training from the railway technical school.

Mechanics with at least seven years of work experience would also be promoted to train drivers, said the SRT governor.

Mr Sohpon and the SRT governor yesterday travelled to Songkhla to inspect the repair and maintenance of trains at Hat Yai railway station. They were heckled by more than 100 union members and Mr Sohpon had to cancel a planned meeting with local SRT executives.

Land Transport Department director-general Chairat Sa-nguanchue, who sits on the SRT board, said the board would consider appointing a panel to investigate if the leave taken by railway staff was politically motivated. The panel would comprise representatives from the Office of the Attorney-General, Mr Chairat said.

Soythip Traisuthi, director-general of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning and an SRT board member, said about 28 train drivers who retired from service on Sept 30 had offered to fill in for drivers out on strike.

Mrs Soythip said SRT board chairman Thawalrat Ornsira would sign an order allowing the former staff to return to work temporarily, effective today.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has insisted that SRT staff who have caused damage by going on strike must be held responsible for their actions.

He was speaking after reports that the rail union had demanded railway workers who had stopped work be spared punishment.

“We cannot yield to the demands,” the prime minister said.

“If they are in the wrong, they must be held responsible. Workers and the union cannot leave work just on a whim.”

In Hat Yai yesterday, south-bound trains were out of action for a fourth day. All local trains were halted while a few long-haul trains from Bangkok to the South were running but only as far as Surat Thani station.

The Hat Yai railway union yesterday insisted that trains would remain out of action until SRT executives came up with clear measures to repair and maintain locomotives.

Wirat Chantharat, chief of the SRT’s legal investigation division, yesterday filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division seeking legal action against railway staff who stop work and affect passengers.

Mr Wirat said the work stoppage had caused damage estimated at about 15 million baht a day. He said companies that use rail freight services would also sue for damages.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

8

Published: 21/10/2009 at 04:23 PM
Online news: Transport

Twelve suspended train services resumed Between Bangkok and the South on Wednesday after all services were earlier halted by the rail strike which began on Friday, State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said.

Mr Yutthana said the 12 trains were operating between Bangkok and Surat Thani, Bangkok and Sungai Kolok, Bangkok and Yala, Bangkok and Trang, and Bangkok and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

In the morning, three trains resumed operations, the head of the State Railway of Thailand’s southern region Thanongsak Pongprasert said. They ran between Bangkok and Yala, Bangkok and Trang, and Bangkok and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The locomotives of these trains had been replaced with locomotives from Bangkok, he said.

Some members of the rail union have been on strike since Friday, refusing to drive locomotives they say are not properly maintained to passenger safety standards.

Security at Hat Yai rail station has been tight, with soldiers patrolling there to ensure safety for passengers.

Mr Thanongsak said some staff were still on leave while others were still refusing to work.

He added that the earlier plan to use student engineers to replace train drivers on strike was not practicable because they have to qualify as mechanics before they can drive trains.

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum assured travellers that South-bound trains will resume full operations on Thursday.

“The No.171 Bangkok-Hat Yai train has started running again, and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is negotiating with its labour union to resume operation of the remaining 19 locomotives,” Mr Sohpon said.

The head of Hat Yai railway union, Wiroon Sakaekhum, said his members would not obstruct the resumption of the train service from Yala to Bangkok, but State Railway of Thailand management would be held responsible if anything happens to the train.

Mr Wiroon said the condition of the train’s locomotive had not been checked.

The train later departed Hat Yai station for Bangkok about 2.30 pm

Mr Wiroon said about 80 per cent of the rail staff at Hat Yai station were already back at work, but they would not drive the 19 locomotives which were in grave need of repair.

Mr Sohpon said extra carriages would be added to trains serving the long weekend starting with Chulalongkorn Day on Friday, and they would offer free travel

The minister said the SRT was cooperating with the border police to ensure security at Surat Thani and Hat Yai train stations, while security at train stations in the three violence-plagued southern border provinces was overseen by the army.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Crime Suppression Division were maintaining security at train stations in the capital during this period.

“The setting up of four committees to watch over the SRT’s rules and regulations, infrastructure, properties and personnel is about the plan to overhaul the locomotives and is not related to state privatisation,” the minister said.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

9

Why our trains are falling apart
**Senior rail maintenance technicians say the rampant use of ‘copy’ parts will lead to more disasters **

Published: 25/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Patching up emergency brakes with cheap copy parts, running infeasible repair schedules and borrowing parts from one train to keep another in service are all part of daily life for train maintenance workers on Thailand’s troubled rail system.

ON THE WRONG TRACK: The Bangkok-Chiang Mai train arrives at Bang Sue station on Saturday afternoon—but is the locomotive ‘railworthy’?

While a State Railway of Thailand (SRT) fact-finding panel was quick to find human error was the cause of the Oct 5 derailment at Khao Tao, Hua Hin, which left seven dead and 88 injured, it is the country’s ageing train network that is drawing just as many questions and fuelling the powerful railway workers’ union stoppage campaign.

Senior maintenance technicians with more than 20 years’ experience claim the system is plagued by a shortage of proper spare parts. They said experienced technicians were trying to meet unrealistic demands to keep decrepit trains in service.

The SRT has 209 locomotives to pull passenger and cargo cars with three major suppliers; General Electric, Alsthom and Hitachi. The locomotives have a brake system linked to a driver alert system, or vigilance system, which employs what drivers call a dead man’s brake. The system is designed to keep drivers alert _ they must push a button every two minutes otherwise the emergency brake will stop the train as a safety measure.

If the driver suffers a heart attack or passes out, as happened in the Khao Tao tragedy where the emergency brake did not engage, it can be a lifesaver for passengers.

Technicians said replacement parts for the brake system should be genuine, but they claim some parts used for repairs are cheaper locally-manufactured ones they described as ‘‘copy parts’’.

One of the technicians learned while participating in a 2004 SRT probe into problems with replacement distributor valves that they were using copy parts. He said the part was a crucial component of the brake system as it helped distribute air which is used to activate the brake after being compressed.

However, SRT engineers told the inquiry panel copy parts were often used as replacements for the originals, and no one was punished accountable.

TIME BOMB: Rail technicians say it’s just a matter of time before a train like this will derail.

‘‘What we learned later was that they often failed to function,’’ the technician said. ‘‘Their quality couldn’t compare to the original ones.’’

The technician said the use of copy parts across the entire maintenance system was common. The technician said original parts were more expensive.

Another technician agreed that only genuine parts should be used to do maintenance and repair work on the dead man’s brakes. But as they do not have access to genuine parts, they are forced to strip parts from one train to ensure another is kept on the tracks.

Many of the copy parts are rubber rings which are less durable than the genuine parts, he said.

A document from the SRT’s procurement unit dated Dec 2004, shows that 240 rings for the dead man’s brake systems were ordered from a local firm at a cost of 57,000 baht.

One of the technicians also said their work had been compromised by SRT management pressuring them to get trains back in service as quickly as possible as there was a shortage of locomotives to meet the demands of the system.

Each day, about 150 locomotives are needed to run the service. But according to the most recent records, records show in 2007 there were 74 locomotives under repair with 138 ready for service.

This equated to about 65% of service availability. The technician said the more pressure that is placed on them to keep trains in service, the more maintenance work is hampered as they cannot properly complete repairs.

‘‘We normally have a list of at least 12 items regarding safety to be checked before allowing the train to be in service, but I have to say that sometimes we can approve none of these, including the vigilance system,’’ the source said.

‘‘We don’t have enough trains to service. So we have tried to keep the trains [we have] in service and safety issues have become a secondary priority as a result.’’

He said the Khao Tao train tragedy highlighted the maintenance problems.
He would not say whether the derailed train had gone through the 12 safety checks, but said the system clearly had a problem.

The driver of the train involved in the disaster, Roengsak Panthep, testified to the fact-finding panel, which signed off on its report four days after the accident, that the dead man’s brake system was not working.

This was also confirmed by his technician Bowornrat Suatim.

It was found the train sped up beyond its 90 kilometres per hour limit and derailed.

The panel, however, did not comment on this in its conclusion, leading to accusations by the union of unfair treatment of workers. According to the check on his work schedule, Mr Roengsak had only one day off in the month of September.

The SRT has 3,600 staff working on trains, 780 short of the ideal manning levels, the union said. There are 1,143 technicians also short of adequate staff levels.

‘‘We wonder whether it is fair to blame everything on us,’’ the source said.

''We have seen the flaws in the work, but this is just beyond our capacity to fix them.

‘‘It’s about the organisation’s policy making and management that needs serious consideration now.’’

SRT management could not be contacted for comment.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

10

Striking rail workers ‘will be punished’

Published: 26/10/2009 at 03:40 PM
Online news: Transport

Train staff who have gone on strike in the South will face legal action to ensure that working standards are maintained, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.

Those who do wrong must face the consequences, he said. They had the right to complain if they thought they were not treated fairly.

Mr Abhisit, speaking on the 11th day of the rail strike in the South, said he understood that the management of the State Railway of Thailand were negotiating with the union on the resumption to train services in the three southernmost provinces.

“They are negotiating,” he said. “I have said many times that I’m willing to listen to their [the union’s] proposals.”

SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said services to and from Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces remained halted on Monday because although 65 train drivers and mechanics had reported to their stations they had refused to work.

However, trains were running between Songkhla’s province of Hat Yai and Bangkok, and between Hat Yai and the upper provinces of the southern region.

The train staff said they did not feel comfortable working in the far South, according to Mr Yutthana.

He reiterated the SRT’s position, that all locomotive equipment was up to standard, and said that police and soldiers were ready to provide safety for train staff.

Those who refused to work were refusing to obey the orders of their superiors and they could be fired, he said.

He estimated the train strike had cost the SRT about 41 million baht so far – 29 million baht from lost fares and the rest from stalled freight services.

The SRT labour union reiterated that safety must be fully ensured before train services to the three southern border provinces can resume.

Sawit Kaeowan, the union president, said whether and when train services on short routes to and from Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat would resume depended on how fast the locomotives in disrepair could be repaired to 100 per cent safety standards.

The SRT administration and the government were duty-bound to do this under a previous agreement, he said.

Mr Sawit said the rail union’s work stoppages were intended mainly to ensure safety for the passengers and the union had not stopped the locomotives to create bargaining power as alleged.

He also said that the union would be happy to negotiate with the management of the SRT, but the management must not file criminal or civil lawsuits against rail staff who have gone on strike because they do not want to drive locomotives that do not meet safety standards.

Suphot Saplom, the permanent secretary for transport, met SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen this morning to discuss ways of resuming train services to the far South as soon as possible.

Mr Suphot said 11 mechanical engineers sent to Hat Yai had now completed repairs to 12 of the 15 locomotives, particularly the vigilance system. Of the seven armoured locomotives put out of use, four had been repaired.

The SRT had also sent 72 more train drivers and assistant engineers to Hat Yai in the hope of resuming train services on all southern routes, both short and long, sometime on Monday, he said.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

11

Tja, niet alleen in Nederland ontbreekt er wel eens een belangrijk element of valt een manco niet direct op. Ik ben wel blij dat ze actie hebben ondernomen ook al omdat ik graag van Bangkok naar Chiang Mai per treinreis. Dat wordt weer veilig reizen.

12

Published: 28/10/2009 at 11:45 AM
Online news: Breakingnews

One southern train service resumed operation on Wednesday morning, the rest still at a standstill since State Railway of Thailand (SRT) union members have refused to operate train services to the deep South on Oct 16, citing safety concerns.

“The free-ride train No.463 linking Songkhla’s Hat Yai and Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok has started running again and it will stop by about 28 stations throughout the day,” SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said.

This eight-carriage train service would carry approximately 1,500 passengers day, including students.

“Trains running from Hat Yai to Bangkok and Bangkok to southern stations are still operating normally. People can buy tickets at train stations or reserve them online at www.railway.co.th,” Mr Yutthana said.

Meanwhile, railway staff were cleaning up areas around Yala train station and damaged wooden railway sleepers were being replaced.

Yala station master Chawana Chumnumphan said the 12-day rail suspension of services in the South had cost about 1.8 million baht in lost revenue.

“If there are no further problems, trains should arrive at Yala train station this morning,” Mr Chawanan said.

SRT southern office director Thanongsak Pongprasert said the SRT will try to get all southern trains running soon as possible.

“There will be another round of negotiations between the management and the labour union later today and the situation is likely to improve,” Mr Thanongsak said.

The talks would cover all issues including the safety of railway tracks and locomotives, he said.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

13

Published: 2/11/2009 at 05:15 PM
Online news: Transport

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union on Monday demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reverse the dismissal of six rail workers for stopping work and allegedly obstructing train servicess in the lower South last month.

A group of SRT labour union members gathered in front of Government House and handed a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, saying the sacking of the six rail workers was unjust.

The union also wants SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen dismissed. They claim Mr Yutthana had failed to properly managing the SRT, resulting in great damage to the state enterprise.

“From now on, we [the union] want the prime minister to solve the problems at the SRT directly. We will continue working despite the discharge of six workers,” union chairman Sawit Kaewwan said.

He said the union wanted the government to take action to ensure the safety of train passengers and set up three independent committees to solve problems at the SRT in a sustainable manner.

“The rail workers are against the SRT’s plan to restructure by setting up another company,” he said.

Early this year, governor Yutthana made a promise to repair the poorly maintained locomotives and equipment with 30 days, before they would be put back in service, but nothing had been done. And then a train derailment in Hua Hin on Oct 5 killed seven passengers, Mr Sawit said.

The accident led to the dismissal of the train driver for going to sleep.

“After the accident, the workers felt that it was unfair and they were afraid. This was why crews on locomotives in poor condition refused to work,” Mr Sawit said.

The union had no personal problems with Mr Yutthana, but they put the safety of train passengers and their belongings as a priority, he said.

“Rail workers have been forced by the executives to work on locomotives and equipment that is in disrepair for a long time. When accidents have occurred, rail workers were penalised while the executives never took any responsibility,” he said.

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum admitted the dispute between the SRT management and labour union is now beyond the Transport Ministry’s control.

Last month, the SRT labour union went on strike and train services in the far South were halted for almost two weeks. The union members refused to drive locomotives they said were not properly maintained and were a danger to passengers’ safety.

The state railway later filed a lawsuit against the strikers and some were sacked from their jobs.

“The cabinet should instead address the problems at the SRT, because my ministry does not have enough authority to solve it,” Mr Sohpon said.

He said the ministry had alreaady set up committees to gather information for subsmission to the cabinet.

He said the proposal would not only cover rail operations but also the SRT’s restructuring plan, which includes the development of existing infrastructure and the railway system and ways to improve management.

The proposal should be delivered to the cabinet next week, he said.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

14

Published: 9/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

A train has derailed at Bang Sue station in Bangkok after switching staff moved too fast to get another train on the same line. No one was injured.

Part of the Bangkok-Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi, train rests on the ground next to bent track at Bang Sue station on Sunday. The State Railway of Thailand said the train derailed when station staff switched the tracks too early. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

Three carriages and a locomotive from a train bound from Bangkok to Kaeng Khoi in Saraburi were forced off the rails Sunday morning when a second train was shunted on to the same line too soon, said State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Thapcharoen.

A train from Suphan Buri to Bangkok was due to enter the station after the Kaeng Khoi train had passed at about 8.30am.

Railway switching staff believed the Kaeng Khoi train had passed, so shunted the other train on to the line. They moved too soon, as the last carriages had yet to clear the area.

Train wheels were broken, rails bent and many sleepers damaged.

Mr Yutthana denied staff involved in industrial action with the SRT had intended to derail the train.

However, a committee would investigate the incident and should reach a conclusion today.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *