Union: Axe SRT chief or face mass rally

Published: 13/10/2009 at 02:45 PM
Online news: Transport

The railway union has called on Transport Minister Sophon Zaram to remove State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Yutthana Thapcharoen within seven days - or face a mass protest.

SRT labour union chairman Sawit Kaewwan said Mr Yutthana had no vision as a leader. The union had in 2007 asked for an increase in SRT staff, warning that trains were under-crewed.

The demand was rejected by the SRT management.

The refusal to hire more staff had forced some train crews to work without any rest for seven days a week, increasing the risk of accidents, Mr Sawit said.

He did not agree the fatal derailment of the Trang-Bangkok train in Hua Hin on Oct 5 was the sole fault of the driver, as ruled by the fact-finding panel of the SRT.

The inquiry committee also recommended the driver be dismissed. The SRT labour union responded by rallying on Monday, demanding Mr Yutthana resign for failing to keep train travel safe for passengers.

Mr Sawit believed the accident was cause by a failure in the system to limit train speeds to a 100kph maximum and the failure of the warning system to alert the driver at all times to any problem.

He said it was unfair of SRT management to place the sole blame for the train accident on railway staff.

“If the transport minister fails to comply with the SRT union’s demand within the given time, we will call a meeting to map out further action,” Mr Sawit said.

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allan

Discussion 2 : 14/10/2009 at 03:41 PM2
sack the whole board of the SRT and appoint a person or company (not Thai) on a contract basis to clean up this organisation of cripples and geriatric army and police officials that have been put there to serve out their time.
Check their bank accounts on appointment and their current bank balance.
Also check the bank accounts of all union officials.
Somboon

Discussion 1 : 14/10/2009 at 03:49 AM1
I tend to agree with the union here.

The accident was bound to happen because of the age of the tracks and tains, the lack of maintenance to the tracks and other related equipment including the switch, and human error. But management must take this responsibility since they could have done all these to try to minimize the accident from happening.

Like I have stated in the past, it is much cheaper to prevent instead of to correct the problems. In this case, the derailment.

allan

Discussion 2 : 14/10/2009 at 03:41 PM2

sack the whole board of the SRT and appoint a person or company (not Thai) on a contract basis to clean up this organisation of cripples and geriatric army and police officials that have been put there to serve out their time.
Check their bank accounts on appointment and their current bank balance.
Also check the bank accounts of all union officials.

Somboon

Discussion 1 : 14/10/2009 at 03:49 AM1

I tend to agree with the union here.

The accident was bound to happen because of the age of the tracks and tains, the lack of maintenance to the tracks and other related equipment including the switch, and human error. But management must take this responsibility since they could have done all these to try to minimize the accident from happening.

Like I have stated in the past, it is much cheaper to prevent instead of to correct the problems. In this case, the derailment.

Union: Axe SRT chief or face mass rally