Trains Between Songkhla And Narathiwat Resume Service

[george]

Southernmost trains between Songkhla and Narathiwat resume service

SONGKHLA: -- Trains services between the southern border provinces resumed operations on Wednesday after an 11 day temporary halt following an attack by presumed insurgents, which left one railwayman dead and three others wounded.

The first train departed Songkla’s Hat Yai Station on Wednesday morning was heading to Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok station.

State Railways of Thailand (SRT) governor Yuthana Thapcharoen and SRT Labour Union president Sathit Kaewwan were also on board to inspect the implementation of safety measures along the route.

The two officials and other SRT executives were present on board the train to give moral support to SRT staff and to strengthen confidence among the passengers regarding the safety of the service.

Security forces were deployed on board and at stations along the route, particularly in Narathiwat’s Rangae district, which is considered the most risky spot.

Train services to and from the three southernmost provinces, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, will resume full operation on Thursday.

The SRT earlier announced temporary suspension of 24 southbound train services after three suspected insurgents opened fire at a moving Sungai Kolok-Phatthalung train on April 10.

-- TNA 2009-04-22