Train services to Sungai Kolok station in Narathiwat are expected to resume on Tuesday afternoon after officials repair damage and check the tracks for safety, following a Sunday bomb attack.
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Prapat Chongsanguan said Monday that repair of the track and two carriages damaged by a bomb blast on Rueso district in Narathiwat on Sunday will complete on Tuesday.
The agency will assess the track condition and trains will operate after tracks are conformed to be safe, he said. The services could restart as early as Tuesday afternoon, he added.
Security authorities guard Pattani station after a bomb hit a local train in Narathiwat on Sunday. (Photo by Pares Lohasan)
Preecha Promthungkor, an SRT engineer, said the repairs are ahead of schedule, originally set for Wednesday for completion.
As of Monday trains on the Sungai Kolok line cannot proceed beyond Yala station because of the bombing.
The bomb planted on the track went off as train No. 453 running from Yala to Sungai Kolok was pulling away from Salo Bukit Yure station. Three people were killed and 36 injured, many of whom were maimed, including loss of limbs. The victims were sent to Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital.
The hospital on Monday urgently called for blood donations especially Group O to save lives of the injured.
The bomb prompted the SRT to step up security measures on trains running on the line and many stations along the route.
Four soldiers were stationed at key stations along the line and eight railway officials were on every train running to Yala, railway officials said.