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Published on November 2, 2007

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union has threatened nationwide transport strikes if its members are punished for striking on Wednesday.

Khanit Chaiyanuphong, a union member based in Lampang, said other public transport unions had promised to cooperate in staging nationwide strikes. He also apologised to rail commuters for the protest, which left tens of thousands stranded.

Sathorn Sinpru, a labour leader based in Nakhon Ratchasima, said union members had no choice but to hold commuters "hostage" as a leverage in negotiating with the SRT management.

"If we did not do it, the SRT management would never look into our problems or consider our demands," he said.

Union members spent 10 months negotiating with the management, he said, but little progress had been made. He pleaded with the public to accept their apologies and to understand the reasons behind the strike.

Acting SRT governor Nakhon Janthasorn said the strike had cost the agency Bt10.4 million in damages, including Bt5.2 million in refunded ticket fares and another Bt571,000 to provide chartered buses for commuters.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he hoped the matter would be resolved without the need for more strikes.

He dismissed speculation that the strike had been secretly encouraged by some National Legislative Assembly members not aligned with the government.

Even after most rail services resumed early yesterday morning, most commuters turned to interprovincial buses on long-distance routes. The first train back in service was Route 303, travelling from Bangkok to Lop Buri at 4.20am.

Only 10 commuters availed of the Bangkok-Phichit service later in the morning. Some services leaving Bangkok are still unavailable because Bangkok-bound trains have not yet arrived.

Nakhon Ratchasima rail station hired 20 buses for 1,200 commuters who had bought tickets to Bangkok before the strike was over.

Hat Yai station refunded more than Bt400,000 to commuters wishing to return tickets.

The Nation