SRT executives defy ban, plan overseas junket

SRT executives defy ban, plan overseas junket

A high-speed Eurostar train exits the Channel tunnel in Coquelles, near Calais, France in this May file photo. State Railway of Thailand executives have defied a ban on overseas “study trips”, organising a Songkran junket through Europe for themselves and family members. (Reuters photo)
A high-speed Eurostar train exits the Channel tunnel in Coquelles, near Calais, France in this May file photo. State Railway of Thailand executives have defied a ban on overseas “study trips”, organising a Songkran junket through Europe for themselves and family members. (Reuters photo)

State Railway of Thailand executives have defied a ban on overseas “study trips” during the 2015 fiscal year, organising a Songkran junket through Europe for themselves and family members.

A source at the state-owned railway agency said SRT board executives were scheduled to head a delegation of officials for an April 10-18 study trip through France, Portugal and Spain. Family members and close friends of the SRT executives also are on the list on the junket, according to Manager Online.

The SRT's planned overseas study trip has yet to be approved by Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong. After the news about the trip leaked, several SRT board members reportedly withdrew from the trip, Manager said.

Last month, the National Council for Peace and Order circulated a memo to senior staff at government agencies and state enterprises advising them of the ban on overseas trips and new regulations on air travel.

The document, issued by the Secretariat of the Cabinet, cited a cabinet resolution on March 3. It stated that the ban was to reduce the cost of overseas study tours, conferences and seminars proposed by state officials so that more funds could be allocated to projects designed to address people's grievances.

It stated that ministerial executives and senior officials attached to both central and local government agencies, including state-owned enterprises, could no longer travel abroad for study tours except when they were required to attend mandatory conferences.

It urged members of other independent bodies, the National Legislative Assembly and the National Reform Council to follow the policy.    

Any agency that felt it necessary to conduct a study trip abroad was told to instead consider inviting a foreign guest speaker to visit Thailand instead, which would cost less.

The new regulations also require senior government figures, including provincial governors and ambassadors, to fly economy class on official domestic air trips. They will be allowed to fly business class on official overseas journeys. Lower-ranked officials can only travel in economy class on domestic and international flights.

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