Work stoppages hit trains from Hat Yai to north, northeast

Seven fuel trains travelling from Nakhon Sawan province also suspended service, as did another three free shortrange commuter trains travelling from Nakhon Ratchasima to other northeastern provinces.

The labour union of the local operation in Hat Yai district, which announced the suspension, said all trains travelling to Hat Yai station would be inspected, and then be “stopped” from continuing their runs if they failed to pass standard maintenance checks.

Fourteen trains travelling to and from Hat Yai district in Songkhla province suspended service yesterday, with malfunctions of a safety system and poor conditions of a number of locomotives cited as the reasons.

Union leader Wirun Sakaekhum said his union’s act was not a strike, but merely a temporary suspension of service. “We are following a fresh regulation of the State Railways of Thailand, which was issued in the wake of a derailment on October 5. No locomotives in fully operational readiness are allowed to be used,” he said.

Wirun said out of 11 locomotives operated by the Hat Yai station, four were in “incomplete condition” while a safety system attached to the seven others needed repairs. The Vigilance system is a warning device that sends alerts to drivers who might be sleeping on the job, he explained.

“The Hat Yai labour union cannot tell now how much repair work will take place, and cannot say how long the suspension of service will continue, but all the work will be completed as soon as possible,” he added.

He said the Hat Yai union was pledged new equipment and budget for new locomotives and various repair work in an agreement in December 2002, but was never given anything. Members of the union and rail workers later gathered at the Hat Yai station in the afternoon and burned an effigy of SRT governor Yutthana Thabjaroen.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, train 419, which gives free rides following government policy, stopped service, forcing passengers to travel by buses or to wait for hours for the next train after they found out that the other two free trains were also delayed. Their suspension from service was then announced. Station manager Somsak Tianpholkrang said the local train union told him that the locomotives for the free trains were not “fully ready” for use.

A source with the Transport Ministry, which supervises SRT, said the suspension of train services was aimed at unseating SRT governor Yutthana. Yesterday’s work stoppage was the third strike in the past two years.

The Nation

Free Internet at the Suvarnabhumi Airport

Now you are free to go in and out your boarding gate since the security chcekpoint had already moved. CAT Telecom had provided booths in the boarding area. Two at each gate. Go to any of the gate and look for the one where the door is open. I went over to gate E1a just to inspect. There were only the airport workers around and I saw these orange booths. These were provided for passengers while waiting for their flights. It is free and you can use 15 minutes at one time. After 15 minutes are up, you might need to reconnect it again to get another 15 minutes. I reconnected for 3 or 4 times and the last time, the time had already reached its limit but the internet was still running without disconnected. Maybe you can try. My boarding gate was D5 and before I enter D5, I saw the door for D8 was open and there were few passengers and workers sleeping on the chairs and nobody at both booths. So I took the chance to enter and use the internet. So do not worry if you check in early and got nothing to do.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Security Checkpoint

Normally security checkpoints at the Suvarnabhumi Airport will be located before you get into the boarding gate. Well, on the 16th Oct 2009, as usual after check in, I straight away get my passport stamped and went into the duty free area. I was shocked as I saw the security checkpoint after the immigration. Many other travellers were stranded too because normally we can bring our water bottles into the area until before we enter the gate. With no choice, I threw 1 can of Coke, 1 bottle of mineral water and 1 box of soya milk. I asked one of the security personnel when did they moved and she told me that they just moved from their old place. Well, I can see a lot of water bottles in the bin since many travellers do not know about this. I am one of them. Well, finish off your drinks first before you get your passport stamped and buy a drink at the Burger King or Starbucks.