Stories tagged with transport
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Thailand’s trains back in service
In a welcome return to a semblance of normality, Thailand’s State Railway authority has resumed operation on nearly all of its train lines. Train services across the nation had been stopped by railway staff two weeks ago in support of the PAD anti-government protest.
As of Tuesday September 9th, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Yutthana Thapcharoen stated that almost all of the rail service was running on its normal schedules again, with the exception of the southern routes, many of which remain suspended. Trains nationwide were stopped for nearly two weeks while the railway organisation’s labour union called in sick to show their opinion of the government’s brutal treatment of PAD protestors.
Yutthana Thapcharoen said that the main lines are all online, but 38 of the 64 services in southern Thailand remain suspended. Lines in the northeast of the country are operating normally as well, although there is rumour that SRT workers may be planning a strike in the coming days. The cost of the strike to the private sector has been enormous, and the SRT is still trying to find a workable solution for all parties involved. Many tourists have found themselves searching for alternative means of travel during the past two weeks of nationwide protests.
Posted by: Andrew on 11 Sep 2008, 09:30 -
Holiday traffic claims 369 lives
Thailand’s poor road safety record was once again called into question as the New Year holiday season resulted in thousands of accidents and claimed nearly 400 lives. A further 4,514 people were injured in nearly as many accidents.
There was a four per cent decrease in accident fatalities from the previous year, but it remains a chronic problem in Thailand has heavy traffic over the long weekend results in higher accident rates.
December 30th was the deadliest day, with 85 fatalities and Bangkok recorded the most accidents of all provinces, proving that it was not just long distance travellers at risk from reckless motorists.
As much has 42 per cent of the accidents were caused by drunk driving according to the Interior Ministry, however the largest group affected were motorcyclist. Many of the injured and dead were not wearing safety helmets.
Other main causes of accidents include speeding and reckless overtaking. Although few tourists were involved, they are advised to avoid travelling during the long New Year Weekend, by road. The hilly, curving roads of the mountainous north are particularly risky during this time.
Transportation guide for Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 03 Jan 2008, 22:14 -
First delivery of airport trains received
Travellers who have landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport recently may have noticed, as they sped towards the metropolis in a taxi, a raised train track running parallel to the highway leading from the airport. Eight coaches for the electric trains that will carry passengers from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok City Air Terminal. have been delivered and are now being tested for this rail service.
The project is just over 70% complete and is expected to be finished on schedule, despite a small matter of a further 9 million baht needed to finish the construction. This is according to State Railway of Thailand spokesman Bancha Kongnakhon.
As the fist 8 of 31 coaches arrive on site, engineers will familiarize themselves with the system that will allow the electric trains to hurtle passengers along at speeds approaching 160 kph. A computerized signaling system, reputed to be the safest in the world, will guide operations, with testing set to begin on November 9th.
The project began in 2004, on the watch of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with a 5 company consortium, calling itself Airport Rail Link Company, winning the bid.
Posted by: DaveB on 01 Nov 2007, 14:06