Cabinet Approves Break Up Of State Railways Of Thailand

[sriracha john]

Cabinet approves SRT makeover

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a restructuring plan proposed by the State Railway of Thailand, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport Thawalrat Onsira said.

Mr Thawalrat, ex-officio Chairman of the SRT Board, said the SRT will set up two companies - one to be responsible for train operations and the other for assets management.

The two companies would be established within a month following the Cabinet's approval. The SRT Board would meet to discuss this tomorrow.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-03

[ovenman]

...the SRT will set up two companies - one to be responsible for train operations and the other for assets management.

If implemented properly, this has the potential to be the best thing that could possibly happen for the rail system in Thailand: i.e. an SRT that actually focuses on rail operations rather than mainly as a landlord collecting the monthly rent on their vast real estate holdings. Presumably, the proposed assets management company would perform the "landlord" function.

[oldsparrow]

The SRT deserves some treatment indeed. In the last 100 years, back to the reign of King Rama V. The RST has increased its rail road by just 50%

We have wrongly developped land cargo transportation base on the 10 wheel trucks. Who know how many thousand had been killed by these monsters?

[samran]

bwha ha ha ha

It is taken 10 years for these proposals to get here.

Will take another 30 years to implement...

[ovenman]

Will take another 30 years to implement...

Can't say that would surprise me. Not unlike the always-impending privatization of <name_of_government_enterprise>, scheduled to take place real soon now. And one total unknown is whether the new "railway company" would actually be operated as such.

[sriracha john]

SRT to be broken up into three organizations: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday that the government will tackle the accumulated losses of the State Railway of Thailand by breaking it up into three organizations in charge of three main responsibilities.

Speaking during his weekly TV programme, Abhisit said there will be a main organization of SRT in charge of investment and maintenance of the infrastructure and the government will be the one to shoulder the investment costs.

The second organization will be in charge of operating the trains and the third one will be in charge of managing properties and assets of the SRT, the prime minister said.

-- The Nation 2009-06-07

[bravingbangkok]

One thing the Thai's would benefit from doing would be to build a new high speed train network connecting all major provinces and province capitals.

Transport is one major issue I have with Thailand, how I would love to have a fully integrated undergorund network in the city and the above. High speed trains would be such an asset to this country, who the fu7ck wants to take a plane journey of 4hrs when you only spend 30mins of that actually on the plane above the clouds. A speedy, comfortable and affordable high speed train whizzing though the Thai countryside up north and down by the coast when going to the south.

[sriracha john]

Labor union warns it will declare strike

The State Railway of Thailand labor union is threatening to go out on strike if the government allows the agency to set up subsidiaries to operate trains and services. More than 100 members of the union went to the Transport Ministry yesterday morning to present a letter opposing the restructuring of the SRT to Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum.

Union Vice-President Pinyo Ruanpet said the Cabinet resolution of June 3 permitting the SRT to establish subsidiaries to run trains would divide the agency, allow the private sector to take over railway services and lead to an increase in train fares and fees that would hurt the public.

The resolution, which has set a timetable of 30 days for the subsidiaries to be established, would also affect the future integration of local and international railway networks, Mr Pinyo said. He said changing the SRT's structure breached an agreement between the SRT management and the labour union. The agreement required management to consult with the union before making any structural change to the state enterprise.

Representatives of the union also filed the letter of complaint at Government House and the Parliament. Mr Pinyo said unless the government heeded the letter, union members could halt railway services.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1853...-declare-strike

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-16

[Ricardo]

Perhaps the union might campaign for more worker-representatives, on the SRT board, so that they know more about what is being planned & why, and can better influence the way things are run ?

In the similar case of the UK, although there were many more supposedly-competing operating & rolling-stock companies set up, the whole exercise was a bit of a disaster. Hope that doesn't happen here !

If the aim is simply to clarify where the money is being made or lost, perhaps they might set up the two/three businesses, all still as subsidiaries of a SRT holding-company ? Although they should already be able to distinguish the different parts of their businesses, simply by keeping proper accounting and management-information systems, but that may be the problem.

Perhaps this is just a simplistic way to try to find out, what's really happening, in this state-run business ?

Whatever, it seems sensible to try to resolve the debt-problem, the SRT will never pay this off itself, it's just a distraction to management from running a transport-system or being a property-company. Time to grasp that particular nettle. And then move-on to modernising the whole rail-system. But don't hold your breath ... it may take some time ...

[sriracha john]

Airport Rail Link gives SRT new hope

State agency to be split into two companies

The State Railway of Thailand is pinning its hopes of reviving its sagging fortunes on the Airport Rail Link project. The Cabinet on June 3 approved an ambitious restructuring of the state enterprise in a landmark decision sought by the SRT for years.

The SRT, which comes under the Transport Ministry, will be split into two parts, with companies formed to run each one. One company will provide the rail services and the other will run its assets. The government will pick up all infrastructure costs. The companies will have to be registered within 30 days of the Cabinet ruling and start business within six months.

The focal point of the changes is the creation of a unit under the rail service arm, to run the Airport Link from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan. The service opens on Dec 5. "The Airport Link will decide the future of the SRT," SRT Governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1891...es-srt-new-hope

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-22

[MJP]

One thing the Thai's would benefit from doing would be to build a new high speed train network connecting all major provinces and province capitals.

Transport is one major issue I have with Thailand, how I would love to have a fully integrated undergorund network in the city and the above. High speed trains would be such an asset to this country, who the fu7ck wants to take a plane journey of 4hrs when you only spend 30mins of that actually on the plane above the clouds. A speedy, comfortable and affordable high speed train whizzing though the Thai countryside up north and down by the coast when going to the south.

Good post.

Although the buses/VIP coaches are fantastic, if they really wanted to boost the economy through infrastructure development, getting the trains running a tad over their current 25 kph would be a start.

[sriracha john]

Labor union warns it will declare strike

The State Railway of Thailand labor union is threatening to go out on strike if the government allows the agency to set up subsidiaries to operate trains and services. More than 100 members of the union went to the Transport Ministry yesterday morning to present a letter opposing the restructuring of the SRT to Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum.

and strike they do...

Railway unionists strike nationwide

The State Railway Union announced Monday that the unionists will lay down tools around the country to oppose the Cabinet's resolution to reform the State Railway Authority.

Sawit Kaewwarn, Chairman of the union, said the protests would cause the trains services to be cancelled around the country.

The unionists will return to work only when the government heeds the demands of the union, Sawit said.

-- The Nation 2009-06-22

[Chang_paarp]

Labor union warns it will declare strike

The State Railway of Thailand labor union is threatening to go out on strike if the government allows the agency to set up subsidiaries to operate trains and services. More than 100 members of the union went to the Transport Ministry yesterday morning to present a letter opposing the restructuring of the SRT to Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum.

and strike they do...

Railway unionists strike nationwide

The State Railway Union announced Monday that the unionists will lay down tools around the country to oppose the Cabinet's resolution to reform the State Railway Authority.

Sawit Kaewwarn, Chairman of the union, said the protests would cause the trains services to be cancelled around the country.

The unionists will return to work only when the government heeds the demands of the union, Sawit said.

-- The Nation 2009-06-22

This is why the railways got in the the schtum in the first place and why it will take years for any reform to be realised.

[H2oDunc]

They did the exact same thing in the UK and it was an unmitigated disaster. The railways in the UK are now slow,unreliable and they have closed so many lines that you still have to bus or use some other form af transport to finish your journey to anywhere outside a major city or town. I quite like taking the train in Thailand. Safe, relaxing and you pass through some beautiful countryside.

[shunima]

One thing the Thai's would benefit from doing would be to build a new high speed train network connecting all major provinces and province capitals.

Transport is one major issue I have with Thailand, how I would love to have a fully integrated undergorund network in the city and the above. High speed trains would be such an asset to this country, who the fu7ck wants to take a plane journey of 4hrs when you only spend 30mins of that actually on the plane above the clouds. A speedy, comfortable and affordable high speed train whizzing though the Thai countryside up north and down by the coast when going to the south.

Forget it, this isn't Europe or Japan. To implement a high speed train network it needs a bit more than buying some trains and building the tracks. There are serious maintenance issues which are really pricey and can't compete with the low airfares we finde these days.

I like it a lot to travel by train but as long as Thailand is in the developing state it is highspeed is not really a good option.

Go with normal gauge tracks first. These would allow you to travel with 120-160 km/h (which triples the speed we experience nowadays) with "ordinary material" which needs a lot less maintenance, tracks could be used better for heavy cargo as any road. Then, if the tracks are built, settled, maintained and optimized, then in 10-20 years it makes sense to go with higher speed. Remember, other countries didn't go from steam heads to bullet trains.

[animatic]

Strike right on schedule.

The Union,not getting their piece of the pie marked out clear enough:

so it makes a stink.

[sriracha john]

SRT Governor to negotiate with unionists at 11 am Monday

The Governor of the State Railway of Thailand said Monday he will hold a negotiation with the leader of the SRT union at 11 am to try to end the nationwide strikes.

Yutthana Thapcharoen, the SRT Governor, said he would meet SRT Union leader Sawit Kaewwan to convince him that unionists would not be affected by the reform of the operations of the SRT.

Yutthana said no private firm would buy stakes of the SRT so the unionists would not be affected by the reform.

But Sawit said Monday that the reform would cause problems in the long run.

He said hearings of SRT workers' opinions must be first carried out before any reform would be carried out.

-- The Nation 2009-06-22

=============================================================================

I guess the above fell through...

Many passengres left stranded at Hua Lampong

Many passengers were left stranded at the Hua Lampong Bankok railway station Monday morning after train workers went on strike nationwide against the operation reform plan.

The passengers said the strike caught them off guard.

Many said they would wait at Hua Lampong until the trains resume services but several heeded advice of station officials to turn to use bus services instead.

-- The Nation 2009-06-22

[sriracha john]

Strike halts all SRT trains

The labour union of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) began a nationwide strike on Monday in protest against the state enterprise's restructuring plan. Labour union president Sawit Kaewwan said all SRT employees had stopped working, halting all rail services across the country.

The employees oppose the SRT's plan to allow a private company to manage the operation, he said. The labour union had previously submitted a proposal to the SRT board on ways to improve organisation and solve debt problems. The board's privatisation plan would lead to higher fares, he said.

Mr Sawit said the duration of the nationwide strike would depend on negotiations with the government and SRT Governor Yutthana Thapcharoen. Mr Yutthana said he was informed of the strike plan on Sunday night. He thought some groups of employees might not understand the purpose of the restructuring plan.

Negotiations were possible, but railway employees must not inconvenience the public, he said. The Governor insisted the restructuring plan would not mean the privatision of the state enterprise, which would set up two companies to oversee its assets and the Airport Link rail project. Train travellers can call the SRT hotline at 1690 for assistance, he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/...rike-nationwide

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-22

[sriracha john]

SRT Governor to urgently meet senior executives to discuss the workers’ strike

BANGKOK, 22 June 2009 (NNT) - Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Yutthana Thapcharoen called an urgent meeting with SRT senior executives today after its workers had called a strike, resulting in many people unable to travel as normal.

Mr. Yutthana indicated that the strike was caused by the misunderstanding of some workers who thought that the SRT would be restructured.

He pointed out that the SRT had planned to merely establish a new affiliate, and is not revamping the organization at all.

He said he had called a meeting with SRT senior figures at 08.00 a.m. today and would meet the leaders of the SRT Labor Union to clarify the facts.

As for the passengers unable to travel and those who are remaining at the stations, the SRT Governor stated that the SRT had already arranged trains and workers to run operations for the people.

-- NNT 2009-06-22

[hansnl]

...the SRT will set up two companies - one to be responsible for train operations and the other for assets management.

If implemented properly, this has the potential to be the best thing that could possibly happen for the rail system in Thailand: i.e. an SRT that actually focuses on rail operations rather than mainly as a landlord collecting the monthly rent on their vast real estate holdings. Presumably, the proposed assets management company would perform the "landlord" function.

Oh really?

Like in the UK?

Like in Europe?

Railway operation is not a real profit generating enterprise.

Maybe it can break even, but that is very iffy.

Market thinking with railways never made it better for the passengers, including safety!

Operating railways should be seen a a community serving enterprise, passenger oriented.

As soon as passengers are called customers, the rot will set in

[stumonster]

India has just reformed its railways over a 3 year period and now turned them into a profitable enterprise for passenger and freight.

the first move was to remove corruption with an iron fist - and that would also be the first step required in fixing Thailands rail.

Thailand is also in a unique position to be able to ship chinese exports by freight train to a port on the indian ocean - if they got their act together.

[sriracha john]

Porters sit on a platform of Hua Lampong railway station during a strike by railway workers in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, June 22, 2009. The Thai train stopped their operation Monday on routes throughout the country to oppose the cabinet's resolution last week to reform the State Railway of Thailand.

Associated Press

[sriracha john]

Thai Railway Workers Go On Strike

BANGKOK -- Thousands of passengers were stranded across Thailand on Monday after railway workers went on strike to oppose the government's plan to restructure the debt-ridden State Railway of Thailand.

In the southern border city of Hat Yai, passengers taking the Bangkok-Butterworth train were transferred into buses before continuing their journey to the Thai capital and Butterworth, Penang.

Southern rail traffic control chief Thanongsak Pongprasert said all trains operating in the four southern provinces had ceased operation until further notice due to the strike.

"We normally operate about 20 trains in the south, including those going to Sungai Golok. The strike will affect about 10,000 passengers, including those going to Butterworth and Bangkok," he said when contacted in Hatyai.

The SRT's worker's union chief, Sawit Kaewwarn, announced Monday that the strike would go on until the government cancels its decision to split the agency into two.

SRT operates about 145 services throughout the country, mainly from the Hualampong station in the capital, carrying about 50,000 passengers a day.

On June 3, the Thai Cabinet approved a restructuring plan to split SRT into two companies, with one providing rail services and the other running its assets.

According to reports, the SRT, which was set up in 1951, never registered profit and its current debts total 69 billion baht.

- BERNAMA (Malaysia) / 2009-06-22

[sriracha john]

Thailand's trains at a standstill; State Railways chief meets with disgruntled union leaders

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) – Thailand’s railway commuters are struggling to find alternative routes and carriers to their offices and workplaces as disgruntled State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union members went out on strike early Monday, closing down rail services across the kingdom.

All trains have been suspended throughout the country as the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union is protesting the proposed restructuring of the railways organisation.

The union opposes the Cabinet-approved SRT rehabilitation plan dividing the state enterprise into corporate units by setting up separate subsidiaries to run the SRT’s airport link project and to manage its assets.

Union chairman Sawit Kaewwan said by telephone interview during a Monday morning Modernine (TV9) television news programme on channel 9 that the union didn’t oppose the airport link but that the SRT executives and the government proceeded to establish the two subsidiaries without consulting with its membership.

Nearly three weeks ago the union submitted a letter to the government opposing the June 3 Cabinet decision adopting the rehabilitation plan but received no acknowledgement, he said.

Trains will resume service if the government puts the restructuring plan on hold and started negotiation with the union, Mr. Sawit said.

The union claims that establishment of the two subsidiaries will lead to the State Railways being run by the private sector and will cause higher fares in the future.

Meanwhile, SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen interviewed on the same programme Monday morning said he would meet the labour union this afternoon to negotiate.

The SRT chief said he knew about the planned strike and was scheduled to meet the union chairman Tuesday afternoon, but it was rescheduled for Monday afternoon.

He clarified that the SRT will hold 100 per cent of shares in both subsidiaries but some groups of railway employees misunderstood the national railways restructuring plan and the issue must be clarified to its employees.

The restructuring plan is aimed at creating income for the SRT, which has been running at a loss for some years, he said.

-- TNA 2009-06-22

[sriracha john]

I think they're in for a long wait....

Passengers wait for their trains on the platform of Hua Lampong railway station during a strike by railway workers in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, June 22, 2009. The Thai train stopped their operation Monday on routes throughout the country to oppose the cabinet's resolution last week to reform the State Railway of Thailand.

Associated Press

[apetley]

They did the exact same thing in the UK and it was an unmitigated disaster. The railways in the UK are now slow,unreliable and they have closed so many lines that you still have to bus or use some other form af transport to finish your journey to anywhere outside a major city or town. I quite like taking the train in Thailand. Safe, relaxing and you pass through some beautiful countryside.

Couldn't agree more with you about railway travel in the UK except that you forgot to also mention that fares have increased to the point where they are even more expensive than air travel in many instances.

[sriracha john]

Thai train staff on strike against 'restructuring' plans

Bangkok - Thousands of travellers were stranded Monday as Thailand's railway workers went on strike, halting travel and cargo services nationwide. They were protesting against government plans to restructure the heavily indebted, loss-making state enterprise.

State Railways of Thailand (SRT) labour union chief Savit Keowwaan said the strike would continue.

"The length of our strike depends on how quickly the government and SRT management meet our demands," Savit said.

The labour union is opposed to a restructuring plan approved by Parliament that will split the state enterprise into two separate units, one overseeing rail services and the other managing its vast assets.

The rail service unit will run a new electric train service linking Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city, which is expected to open by year-end and should prove profitable.

"We disagree with the restructuring plan because it looks like a step towards privatization," Suvit said.

The SRT has lost money since its inception in 1951. Its overall debt is now 69 billion baht (2 billion dollars).

The enterprise's labour union is highly politicized, and held strikes last year to urge the downfall of the previous government, which was also mulling privatization plans.

SRT Governor Yuthana Thapcharoen criticized the labour union for not providing sufficient forewarning of the strike, leaving thousands of travellers stranded at Hua Lampong railway station in Bangkok on Monday.

The Governor insisted the restructuring plan would not mean the privatisation of the state enterprise.

Third-class fares, which have not been raised in 24 years, make train travel the cheapest public transport in the kingdom.

Second- and first-class seats with sleeping cars are popular among foreign tourists, as they are more comfortable and less risky than tour buses.

- DPA / 2009-06-22

[sriracha john]

Railway Union strikes against SRT restructuring plan

BANGKOK, 22 June 2009 (NNT) – State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Union President Sathit Kaewwan informed that all train staff had stopped operating all rail routes nationwide in a bid to oppose the SRT restructuring and privatization plans.

SRT Union President elaborated that the union had already proposed suggestions towards the restructuring plan. However, he said the SRT chose to restructure the organization into a company, which would allow private companies to manage the service.

Sathit said the way that SRT was trying to solve the operational loss would put the burden on people by increasing higher train fares. He then said he could not tell how long the strike would go on until the union would be able to negotiate with the government or the SRT Governor.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Sopon Zarum said he had already assigned buses to help run, adding that he was ready to review the proposal and negotiate with the union.

-- NNT 2009-06-22

[sriracha john]

Striking Rail Union Firm on Abrogation Restructuring Plan

While the State Railway of Thailand is adamant it is doing all it can to resume train services, the labor union maintains they will continue to strike until the rail authority puts on hold its restructuring plan.

A group of rail workers in Bangkok and nearby provinces staged a rally at Makkasan railway station today.

President of the State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, labor union Sawit Kaewwan said rail workers have gone on a nationwide strike to call for cancellation of the SRT's restructuring plan. The plan was approved by the Cabinet early this month.

The labor union believes that the government is paving a way for the agency's privatization. The labor union is convinced the speedy establishment of two entities to operate rail services and manage its assets will enable private firms to exploit the SRT and, in turn, the public will be forced to pay more to use train services.

Sawit said that the scheme cannot solve the agency's massive loss. He added that the labor union has submitted a proposal to help revive the SRT but was turned down by the executives. He said the strike will continue unless the government has a clear response for the matter.

SRT Governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said he is talking to the labor union representatives to strike an agreement and resume services as soon as possible.

Yutthana revealed that 10 percent of SRT officials are taking leave, so the operation of 50 train trips out of 290 will need to be suspended causing a revenue loss estimated at 10 million baht.

The SRT Governor clarified that the two subsidiaries proposed under the plan will operate the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link project and manage assets. He said the two entities will be wholly owned by the SRT and they will be disbanded if a private company acquires any stakes in them.

He insisted the restructuring plan is not to privatize the agency and the status and benefits for all SRT workers will remain unchanged.

The SRT labor union has issued its latest statement questioning who will be responsible for setting up the two corporate units. Part of the bulletin also stated the union's suspicion that the restructuring scheme will allow private companies to gain benefits from public services.

-- Tan Network 2009-06-22

[katana]

Let's hope it's nothing like Railtrack in the UK (responsible for track, signalling, tunnels, bridges, level crossings ) which was founded under legislation that privatised the railways in 1994. However it was essentially taken away from them and renationalised in 2002 due to their safety record. There were bad crashes at Southall, Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield and Potter's Bar where many died.