Union opposes SRT rehabilitation plan

The labour union at the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) opposes the restructuring plan recently approved by the cabinet as it would be even worse than privatising the state rail firm, union chairman Sawit Kaewwan said on Tuesday.

The plan to set up two affiliate companies, to operate train services and to manage assets of the SRT, would open the way for private firms to take control of the SRT, Mr Sawit said.

The government should improve income generating channels of the SRT by making better commercial use of the 36,302 rai of land it own.

The SRT currently earns only one billion baht  annually from its property. The additional income could be used to improve train services, Mr Sawit said.