PM warns SRT union not to shut Bangkok’s main train station

BANGKOK, Oct 19 (TNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday that train service in the southern region is expected to resume within two days, warning the labour union of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) not to shut down Hua Lamphong, the main railway station in the capital.

The prime minister called a meeting with Transport Minister Sophon Zarum to end work stoppage, which has suspended train service in the South for four consecutive days.

The drivers said their work stoppage was due to defective locomotives, which could be danger to train trips if they continued. The SRT workers also claimed sick leave and holiday time, but left much of the country without passenger of goods services.

Mr Abhisit said he told the transport minister to quickly to resume train services, saying to be fair to all parties concerned.

If the locomotives are really defective, the prime minister said, the drivers can stop their work. It is not wrongdoing. But an investigation is under way to check if SRT workers took leave with good reason or not, he added.

Two southbound trains halted Sunday before reaching their destination in two southern provinces, disembarking their passengers after the drivers cited safety reasons due to the work stoppage of railway workers in the South, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

“Work stoppage halfway to the destination is not reasonable,” the prime minister said. “Failing to respect the law and regulations will cause more problems.

“Closing Hua Lamphong is wrong,” the prime minister chided the union members, advising them to “submit their demand to the government but not cause trouble to the public.”

SRT workers will be asked if work stoppage is related to a conflict with SRT executives or defective engines, said the prime minister.

Both short term and long term solutions must be used in tackling problems of the SRT, he said.

Reform is one of the long term plans to be proposed by the transport minister. The transport minister will report the issue to the cabinet when it meets Tuesday.  It may have the abilit to solve the problem if needed, said Mr Abhisit.  (TNA)