Unionists rolled as big wheels keep on turning

TRAIN STRIKE

More than 100 armed railway police and security volunteers have released a train held at Hat Yai station by State Railway of Thailand unionists.

Unionists and supporters jeer but put up little resistance as train No.175 moves away from Hat Yai station after railway police moved in and put an end to the blockade. WICHAYANT BOONCHOTE

The train was the first of 14 locomotives which operate on lower southern services to resume operations. The services have been hampered by a 10-day strike.

A driver sent from Bangkok took the empty train from Hat Yai to Khok Pho in Pattani before returning again after being warned he might be breaking the law by driving the train.

Hat Yai railway union head Wiroon Sakaekhum said the driver had violated SRT regulations because he operated the train alone and had no experience on the track.

The regulations state drivers on the southern lines must have at least 10 years of experience and be accompanied by at least two support staff.

The SRT management resolved to take a forceful approach and legal action in a bid to resume the rail service after southern staff who are members of the SRT labour union halted services on Oct 16 and blocked the passage of trains which serve the lower South.

Armed railway police and security volunteers took 10 minutes at 3pm yesterday to free train No.175 from SRT union members.

Union members who had surrounded the trains at the station booed but did not resist attempts to get the train running.

In Bangkok, SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen yesterday said he had obtained a Songkhla provincial court order which prohibited anyone from blocking normal rail services.

He said copies of the order had been posted at railway stations nationwide.

He also issued an order demanding that 65 railway staff members who took leave from Hat Yai station return to work or risk dismissal.

He also placed 72 train drivers and engineers from Bangkok on standby in case the 65 employees refused to work.

"The court order is the green light for management to move and allows police to arrest those who block railway services," Mr Yutthana said.

"SRT staff must follow the orders of the management. If they resist the order intentionally to damage the organisation, they can face the harshest punishment, which is expulsion."

The SRT governor said 65 union members had taken leave and refused to operate trains, claiming the vehicles were not well maintained.

As all 14 lower southern trains later passed checks, the union members returned to work in Hat Yai but yesterday continued to refuse to drive the trains, claiming they were worried about safety along the tracks to the insurgency-torn far South.

The governor said police and soldiers had confirmed protection for the trains, so the safety claim was irrational. Besides, 12 locomotives running in the South were bullet-proof, Mr Yutthana said.Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said rail workers who left their duties without a good reason would be held responsible for the halted public service.