Southern rail service restored

Train services nationwide had been suspended as a result of railway workers' union members taking leave to show their support for the antigovernment protests of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Thanongsak Pongprasert, director of the SRT's southern office, said national railways executives had negotiated with the leaders of its labour union, and they had agreed to resume all southbound train services from today, including trains from Bangkok. Hat Yai station will inform the public that the trains will be back in full service.

SRT officials are now stepping up security measures in preparation for the resumed operations, especially for trains to the strifetorn deep South. Passengers should fully return to use the train services very soon, he said.

Thanongsak said the first two trains were scheduled to depart from Hat Yai to Sungai Kolok and Chumphon, respectively, at 6.30am.

The absence of hundreds of key staterailway employees, including train operators, engineers, conductors and various technicians taking sick leave, had meant many trains were unable to run.

Seventysix SRT rail services nationwide were disrupted, with many suspended altogether, paralysing railway cargo transport.

However, the services gradually resumed, except on the southern routes, where some services remained suspended until Saturday.