Train labour union workers who continued their strikes for the fourth day Monday threatened to close Hua Lumpong station if the train authority's executives don't negotiate now.
Transport Minister Sophon Saram Monday morning said that the ministry will 'try' to end the rail services suspension "within one to two days."
He urged the union to resume full rail services as State Railway of Thailand (SRT) are ready to talk to resolve the problems.
Train drivers and engineers of the southern routes have been on strikes since the weekend, resulting in halting of 36 trains in the south. On Sunday, some trains stopped running en route and abandoned hundreds of passengers.
On Monday, southern route rail services remain in disarray as all local services were suspended.
Union workers have called for immediate maintenance of at least seven locomotives following a fatal accident of a train in Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan recently.
They suspended the service, claiming that the management has not answered or acknowledged their demand. They also claimed that train staffs and passengers would be in danger if the locomotives were not repaired.
Speaking after meeting with SRT executives, Sophon said that the details will be sorted out within the next one to two days.
He said that he will not dismiss SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen as requested by the union, reasoning that the governor has done nothing wrong.
"I will propose a plan to solve the overall problems in the SRT to the Cabinet on Tuesday," Sophon said, "including human resources, properties and aging locomotives. He pledged to determine "appropriate rehabilitation measures."
The minister added that he has instructed all transport agencies to facilitate passengers who have been affected by the train stoppage.
"The SRT prepared buses for passengers who booked tickets for destinations beyond Surat Thani", he said, noting that returning buses will carry passengers to board trains at Surat Thani.
At the same time, SRT executives meeting Monday morning resolved to set up a committee to study the problem, and directed the SRT legal section to file charges against workers who were absent without justifiable grounds who caused troubles to passengers and the SRT organisation.
SRT governor Yuthana said that irregular leave taking by employees was found only at Hat Yai station and that only 241 drivers and engineers from of a total of more than 2,000 had taken leave.