Train services back on track after derailment

Damage from the accident was estimated at Bt129 million.

Throughout Monday night, officials and heavy machinery cleared the 11 derailed bogies off the track and fixed a 200-metre stretch of the primary track to enable resumption of the train services.

Trains passing through Khao Tao station, however, have been told to use their lowest speed when approaching the station. The repair of the secondary track, whose 180-metre stretch was damaged, would need more time.

The derailment on Monday near Khao Tao train station, which killed seven passengers, injured 88 others and caused suspension of southern train services for 30 hours, was initially found to stem from the ill-fated train not responding to Wang Pong station's signalling.

Initial investigation found that Wang Pong station had alerted Khao Tao station that the Bangkok-Trang train, running at 105 kilometres per hour, had ignored their signalling. Unable to reach the train's officials, Khao Tao officials advised another goods train that was coming to the station to park two kilometres away from the station, when the ill-fated train proceeded on and then derailed.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Yuthana Thapcharoen yesterday said that damage from the derailment was estimated at Bt129 million and that the accident happened because the train driver reportedly dozed off. He said the train was supposed to stop at Wang Pong station to collect a document for track-changing but it did not do so. Instead the train ran the stop signal at Wang Pong station and headed towards Khao Tao station at high speed, he said.

Meanwhile, 17 injured passengers remained in hospitals yesterday.

Expecting to complete the investigation this week, Hua Hin police investigators interviewed some injured passengers. They would soon summon the Khao Tao and Wang Pong station chiefs, said Hua Hin Superintendent Colonel Krisana Jaemsawang. They have also summoned SRT engineers to give information tomorrow. No charge was filed against anyone yet and police were still looking for the train driver and his substitute driver, he added.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting yesterday discussed the Hua Hin derailment and called for punishment of the train drivers.

Transport Minister Sophon Saram told the meeting that the train, railway and signalling system were in good condition, thus leaving human error as the likely cause of accident. He said they would have to wait for the investigation, which should be concluded in five days. He also pointed out that the derailment occurred on the secondary track, which supported a train running at up to 40 kilometres per hour, whereas this train was speeding at more than 100 kilometres per hour.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said that after the accident the two train drivers had gone missing. The train technician told the authority that the two drivers were "in a condition causing them to be unable to perform their duties".

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva urged the Transport Ministry to determine how to make train officials more responsible in their duties and to determine how to give more compensation to the victims, from the current rate of Bt80,000 per victim.

In response, the Interior Ministry announced that it was adding Bt10,000 in compensation for each victim.

Some ministers also discussed that in other countries, there would be two train drivers taking turns. While one was working, the other would rest at home and be ready to take his turn at the designated stop. However, the Thai practice usually had two drivers travelling on the train together. They often ended up chatting and thus lacking in adequate rest. They said this was the time to reform train service practices and related issues. There was no discussion on dismissing the SRT governor.

Meanwhile, SRT Labour Union president Sawit Kaewwan called for the SRT governor, as the organisation's top executive, to take responsibility for the derailment. He also urged a review of the 1998 lay-off plan because such cost-cutting schemes had led to existing officials being overworked. He also urged more funding for better maintenance of the trains.