Today's Top Stories >> Friday August 29, 2008 05:40
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BangkokPost.com
Railway workers on Thursday began a sick-out to support the anti-government actions in Bangkok, and announced that all train service to the North and Northeast will halt at midnight on Friday, causing disruption to commuters and tourists.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) union, in an announcement late on Thursday said employees "are not ready to work," a move that will cause severe problems for workers and foreign visitors, as well as movement of goods.
Latest reports say train services from Taphan Hin in Pichit would stop at 5am on Friday.
The chairman of the SRT’s labour union in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Sathorn Sinpru, said almost 100 engine drivers, usherettes and repairmen have taken sick leave for at least two days, reasoning that they are not happy with their work.
He said if they are still not ready to work after two days, the sick-out could prolong as their performance could cause dangers.
Members of the SRT’s labour union took part in the mass rally led by the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at Government House. The reason behind the SRT’s halt of operation could be the government’s provision of free transport for the protesters who wish to return home.
As of Thursday evening, five scheduled trains from Bangkok to the Northeast failed to leave the station, deputy governor of the SRT Thawin Sarmnakorn said in a television interview.
Mr Thawin said he has ordered substitutes to replace the staff who have taken leave, but the number of the substitutes is inadequate for all the services to fully operate.
He added that he plans to hold talk with SRT staff on Friday to prevent the suspension of train services in other regions.
The discontinuation of rail services will first of all affect more than 1,000 Ayutthaya workers who depend on the train to get to work in Bangkok every morning.
Total of 14 reader comments
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That is what KTM of Malaysia was sold for RM1.00 years ago. Look at their achievement today and sadly SRT has years
to catch up. Think tank & think hard for the nation !
I'd say most of Thailand got brainwashed by Samak and the PPP in the first place. i'm not saying PAD is definitely better but I haven't seen them governing the country. As an outsider I can only see an arrogant government with ridiculous issues, blaming others for their mistakes. LIsten to what the Constitution Court says - they have no political agenda other than defending the constitution
They are lazy, and often go to work an hour or two late, without fear of ever losing their job. That's crazy!
That's a system from the past, which Thailand should do away with.
Thailand needs quality... not laziness.
This is an opportunity to change that.
If these SRT workers wish to not work; then so be it.
Yell "NEXT !" ...and fill their jobs with honorable Thais, who'll do a good job, and not use the job as a weapon.
Let these protesters feel the effects of poverty.
They deserve it.
They're willing to give pain: So let them feel pain.
Hopefully all of this will transform Thailand into the leading nation in southeast Asia it should be. Really!
We must rid ourselves of stupidity, laziness and corruption.
Both sides are guilty of those things. Both sides need to repent.
Turn your hearts to the King... today.
Are the railway workers supporting or against the PAD , in not providing the free train services ?
It's time all Thais learn that action trumps passiveness.
Gather at the center of your cities and show you do not support PAD, or the shut down of anything. Only then will PAD go away.
As long as Thai's remain passive, and sit home watching the News, this ACTIVE MINORITY will hold this nation hostage.
And PAD will ruin this counrty.
It's time for Thais to stop being non-confrontationalists, and stand up for what they believe.
and rabble rousers should be constrained to justify their statements ... firstly by their audience, secondly by the media, thirdly by the law
such statements as ... the government is doing nothing for the country ... obviously wrong, the government is doing lots of things ... the relevant departments and their minsters are working hard ... to ensure agriculture and exports is supported, to manage the financial system, to ensure that education, health, water, power services are operating, including making sure people have access, through the 30Baht and subsidised water and power schemes
so how can some idiots on a stage say they are doing nothing
and also ... beware of what will happen to Thailand if these people topple the government ... who will take charge? will there ever be free and fair elections again?
by the way I believe the vote-buying issue is another beatup ... a few votes may be influenced by direct money but mostly people voted for a government that has good policies that will improve Thailand for everyone!
please let this good government get on with its job, and yes, they should get rid of the 2007 constitution introduced under threat by the military junta, for their own benefit!!! the 1997 constitution was written to improve Thailand for everyone not the few rich and corrupt! which is why the few are trying so hard to get rid of it!
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