SRT promises to go after encroachers

SRT promises to go after encroachers

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has vowed tough action against encroachers while hinting that market vendors could be spared from eviction.

Nirut Maneepun, the newly appointed SRT governor, ordered the creation of a committee to handle encroachment problems on SRT land on Thursday.

The SRT has 234,976 rai of land nationwide, some of which has been encroached upon, especially plots in prime urban areas. Some are even reported to be exploited by criminal gangs who extort local vendors.

About 80.68% of the total property is connected to railway lines, 15.45% is "idle land", 2.27% is located in and around train stations and 1.6% is used as office space and accommodation for SRT officials.

Mr Nirut said solving the issue of land encroachment is not just about profit.

"Solving land encroachment will not only maximize the value of the SRT's assets, but it will also improve quality of life and welfare of SRT employees living in SRT housing estates and adjacent communities," said Mr Nirut, a former legal executive of a commercial bank.

The move comes after the new governor visited SRT locations affected by encroachment problems.

They included the Nikhom Rotfai KM 11, Nikhom Rotfai Makkasan, Nikhom Rotfai Bang Sue, and Nikhom Rotfai Chitlada housing estates in Bangkok.

All of them are being encroached upon by squatters.

Mr Nirut noted any form of encroachment that compromises the safety of train navigation, passengers and SRT staff will not be tolerated.

He said encroachment that leads to criminal and gambling activities also cannot be accepted.

However, Mr Nirut said the SRT will speak with vendors who use its land without permission and who pay 'rent' to local criminals.

"Those vendors will soon spend less money as they will no longer have to pay off those gangs," he said.

As for the Rom Hoop Market in Samut Songkhram's Maung district, which is located on SRT property, Mr Nirut said the market does not pose any danger since it is located at the end of a railway line.

The food market is peculiar as it sits on a railway track and has vendors moving goods and retracting awnings as trains pass.

For this famous market, the SRT governor said the Samut Songkhram provincial administration is going to meet and discuss safety guidelines with vendors.

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