THAILAND: Train drivers strike, leaving 2,000 passengers stranded

Record ID: 341119

  • Title: THAILAND: Train drivers strike, leaving 2,000 passengers stranded
  • Date: 20th October 2009
  • Summary: HAT YAI, THAILAND (OCTOBER 19, 2009) (REUTERS) TRAIN PARKING SIGN SAYING: "OUT OF ORDER" TRAIN STATION TRAIN PARKING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) PASSENGER, SAYING: "I have to run some errands and I really need to go. I have to call my sister to pick me up. If I'm still waiting for them, the bus ticket might also run out." (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) PASSENGER, SAYING: "I came from Ba
  • Embargoed: 4th November 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA2LFTLZOQJJ69SXSFDC140KV1Q
  • Story Text: Train services between Bangkok and Thailand's south continued to be suspended on Monday (October 19), with the railway union saying services would not continue until train safety was improved.
    The stoppages have left about 2,000 passengers stranded as the train drivers refused to continue operating services in both directions between Bangkok and the south.
    The railway union said they could not continue, saying 25 trains need to be repaired in order to prevent a repeat of a train derailment in Hua Hin on October 5, which killed seven people and injured 88.
    About 70 train workers also took sick leave and holidays as part of the strike, claiming the trains are old and unserviceable.
    Many passengers were furious about the strike, and forced to take alternative transport.
    "I have to run some errands and I really need to go. I have to call my sister to pick me up. If I'm still waiting for them, the bus ticket might also run out," said one passenger who bought a return ticket from Hat Yai to Bangkok.
    "I came from Bangkok and took annual leave to visit here. I'm going home tomorrow but there is no train. It's a waste of time and such a pain," said another passenger.
    On Sunday (October 18), the train bound for Trang province, 830 kilometres south of Bangkok, disembarked in Chumphon province, 460 kilometres south of Bangkok, as the driver said he could not continue the service due to safety concerns.
    The passengers were forced to take buses to their destination but many were left stranded as there were not enough buses.
    The State Railway Workers Union has said they will not continue their services until the trains are repaired.
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