State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Prapat to stay in the job

[webfact]

SRT governor to stay in the job



BANGKOK: -- State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Prapat Chongsanguan insisted to stay in the job saying quitting won't help to solve a problem.

Amid calls for him to resign to show responsibility for the rape and murder case of a 13-year-old girl who was raped and killed on board a sleeper train to Bangkok from Surat Thani on Sunday, he said quitting is just fleeing the problem..

He was summoned by the permanent secretary of Transport to report all the information regarding the tragic incident.

He said he will remain in office so that there is still someone in charge to give orders and take preventive measures to restore public confidence in the train service.

He asked for sympathy saying he has been in the position for slightly over a year and may not know all about the SRT.
“This case is the first because I did not know there was a similar case before. I personally understand how the relatives (of the victim) feel, because I also have a daughter,” he said.

Mr Prapat said he would first look into security for passengers, particularly children and women. A special coach for women would probably be arranged for passengers who want to use it voluntarily.

The SRT’s legal office was instructed to issue an announcement to ban the sale of alcohol on trains. The announcement, to be effective very soon, would also prohibit passengers who bring their own alcoholic drinks from imbibing while on the train.

As a preventive measure, surveillance cameras will be installed at both ends of new coaches and a working group will be set up to examine the background records of more than 400 staff working on sleeping coaches and review the recruitment process.

He said the man who committed the recent crime had just been promoted from temporary employment to be the permanent staff.

Mr Prapat has earlier pledged to step down for any train derailment after the recent major maintenance of the northern rail line from Phrae to Chiang Mai. But he never kept his words as there were many derailment cases after his pledge.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/srt-governor-stay-job/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-09

[Bluespunk]

"He said he will remain in office so that there is still someone in charge to give orders and take preventive measures to restore public confidence in the train service."

That someone should not be you. That someone is not you.

[smedly]

the buck stops with you

allowing your employees to get drunk while working - raping and murdering young girls is hardly acceptable for any state run service

These deeds have already happened and you did nothing to prevent them - is it possible that this is widespread in the rail system

[PaPiPuPePo]

"He asked for sympathy saying he has been in the position for slightly over a year and may not know all about the SRT.
'This case is the first because I did not know there was a similar case before. I personally understand how the relatives (of the victim) feel, because I also have a daughter,' he said."

Sadly all too typical of people with more power than brains and/or ethical development. HE wants sympathy because his lax management contributed to the vicious rape and murder of a child? And he's only been there a year so isn't up to speed? A truly qualified executive manager wouldn't even think to use this as an excuse.

Then he adds insult to injury by saying he understands how the family feels. No he doesn't, not unless his own daughter was raped and murdered like theirs was.

What a disgusting set of statements. I almost hope he keeps digging a hole for himself, or should I say keep opening the door out of his office at SRT, with more statements like these.

Edited July 9, 2014 by PaPiPuPePo

[taony]

As a preventive measure, surveillance cameras will be installed at both ends of new coaches

When will this be. in 2114?

Wasn't this guy actually on one of the trains that derailed after he promised he would resign if another one derailed?

[lostsoul49]

He shouldn't be expected to resign..... he should be sacked on the spot with no pension.

Clinging to his job is just going to increase the already enraged atmosphere on social media and it won't be long before that rage is directed towards the Junta for sitting idly by.

He must have connections in the military is all I can say.

[webfact]

AFTERMATH
SRT governor rejects calls for resignation
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- STATE RAILWAY of Thailand governor Prapat Chongsanguan yesterday vowed to stay on as SRT chief, saying his resignation would be deemed an escape from the problems surrounding the railways.

I am begging for support, as I joined the SRT a year [ago], and am not capable [yet] of knowing all its problems. When I said the rape and murder [last Sunday] was the first in the SRT, I was not aware of such a crime once before," he added.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will soon seek information from the SRT about compensation for the family of a young teenager who was allegedly raped and murdered by an SRT employee while riding a Bangkok-bound train. Visa Benjamano said the NHRC would also ask the SRT to explain how it would prevent future recurrences and protect passengers from other crimes.

The NHRC would take action by running campaigns urging people with violent tendencies to try to control themselves, as well as other activities to discourage aggravated crimes and other violence.

The Lawyers Council of Thailand vowed to help out the family of the victim through criminal and civil suits for compensation and bringing the suspect to justice. Through the civil cases, the SRT would be held responsible for consumer protection, as the victim was raped and killed while using the state enterprise's service.

'PETITION RATHER THAN RALLY'

Meanwhile, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has urged sympathisers and concerned netizens to call off a street rally planned for Saturday demanding stronger legal action against convicted rapists and murderers.

The public anger is in response to the death of the 13-year-old girl in a sex crime on a moving train last weekend.

NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Thivari said yesterday that instead of the demonstration, protesters should submit a written request to the junta to take action on the girl's death.

The self-confessed suspect - Wanchai Saengkhao - is an SRT employee, a fact that has led to growing calls for the resignation of the SRT chief.

NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha was said to be concerned about the welfare of the public, but believed a response to any public call needed to be considered thoroughly and in detail.

The Saturday rally was scheduled to take place in front of the Siam Paragon mall in downtown Bangkok at 11am. Winthai said any public gathering without permission was against NCPO regulations.

"Submitting a written request to General Prayuth to take care of the matter is regarded as the best solution possible as the moment," he added.

Railway Police commander Pol Maj General Thanang Buranont said morale among his officers had dropped after community criticism of them over the girl's rape and murder. He said their confidence needed to be boosted to shore up their image in the eyes of the public.

He blamed insufficient manpower as the reason for any failings, although 500 police officers were on security duty and another 100 on administrative duties.

A group of suspect Wanchai Saengkhao's friends reportedly met with police at Nopphawong Railway Police station to hand over a tablet computer they thought was the victim's taken by Wanchai after he allegedly violated and killed her.

At Satrinonthaburi School, where the victim had been in the eighth grade, a solemn memorial service was held yesterday, with many classmates and students weeping openly. Garlands and flower offerings were placed on her desk in Class 2/5. The all-girl school hosted her funeral at Wat Thinnakorn Nimit, and the cremation is scheduled for Sunday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/SRT-governor-rejects-calls-for-resignation-30238152.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-10

[englishoak]

Hmm natives getting restless, people are looking for a reason to demonstrate and take to the streets, its clearly bubbling under the surface. An outraged pubic is an unpredictable beast.

Ultimate responsibility it happened on this guys watch... Just do the honourable and smart thing and resign before other bad things happen.

[lostsoul49]

When I said the rape and murder [last Sunday] was the first in the SRT, I was not aware of such a crime once before," he added.

Actually, it has happened 3 times before (well, rapes anyway), and the whole of Thailand knows the other two times by the same monster that killed this poor girl... Well everyone in Thailand apart from YOU that is.

You state that your resignation would be like running away from the problems.... Don't flatter yourself, you resignation would open the way for someone capable of doing the job, not just sitting by sipping wine and collecting your fat salary and pension.

This monster sailed through the screening process via widespread nepotism... you even admitted the huge problem stating most problems come from 'favourite kids' who feel exempt from disciplinary action because they are 'connected' as you stated to the Bangkok Post... So you were well aware there were problems.

Sir.... you are about as popular and welcome as Garry Glitter at a kid's birthday party.

You can't even protect 2 of your own staff from this monster, they can't even feel comfortable to report his rapes to your organisation because they know he is looked favourable on thanks to the nepotism YOU allow to happen with your full knowledge of its existence.

GO.... if you have anything resembling a shred of integrity.... Cling on, and you may well be pushed and then you WILL struggle to get a job elsewhere.

IN THE UK YOU WOULD BE IN COURT FOR CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER FOR YOUR WILFUL NEGLECT.

Edited July 9, 2014 by lostsoul49

[Payboy]

as I joined the SRT a year [ago], and am not capable [yet] /of knowing all its problems.

Poor chap. Give him at least until his retirement to brush up on everything.

[chooka]

Was he in the position when the private contactor was given the contract?

No need to resign just dump the private contactor as they were the ones who veted, hired and had full supervision responsibilities of the killer.

[Thai at Heart]

personally understand how the relatives (of the victim) feel, because I also have a daughter, he said.

Puke....

[doctorproc156]

The only thing that needs changing is this relaxed and non-caring culture in almost every Thai GLC. The working culture is the problem.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Actually, it has happened 3 times before (well, rapes anyway), and the whole of Thailand knows the other two times by the same monster that killed this poor girl... Well everyone in Thailand apart from YOU that is.

Why is it that none of the news articles posted here contain the same admission made by the suspect as reported in the BKK Post on July 9 that this guy previously had raped two of his SRT co-workers, and because he got away with those, helped spur him on to try again with the latest attack???

[klauskunkel]

Mr Prapat has earlier pledged to step down for any train derailment after the recent major maintenance of the northern rail line from Phrae to Chiang Mai. But he never kept his words as there were many derailment cases after his pledge.

He learned from Chalerm

[Bpuumike]

Was he in the position when the private contactor was given the contract?

No need to resign just dump the private contactor as they were the ones who veted, hired and had full supervision responsibilities of the killer.

How did the private contractor manage to get the contract I wonder?

[chooka]

Actually, it has happened 3 times before (well, rapes anyway), and the whole of Thailand knows the other two times by the same monster that killed this poor girl... Well everyone in Thailand apart from YOU that is.

Why is it that none of the news articles posted here contain the same admission made by the suspect as reported in the BKK Post on July 9 that this guy previously had raped two of his SRT co-workers, and because he got away with those, helped spur him on to try again with the latest attack???

I take it the guy was never charged but why on earth was he still working for the company when he clearly was a risk to the public? I think the contractor has a few questions to answer.

[ChrisY1]

These leaders of State Enterprises really need to be weeded out....some have gone already and hopefully, several more should be moved on.....they appear to be just plain slack.

Leading by example of slackness, is the SRT.

Nothing gets improved is these "institutions" until the shit hits the fan......then it's all knee jerk responses.

Get new blood into the system.....kick out all the old wood....install better management systems and move forward, as the rest of the developed world is doing.

[webfact]

SRT board urged to consider the fate of its governor



BANGKOK: -- Transport permanent secretary Soithip Traisut has urged the board of the State Railway of Thailand to call an urgent meeting to conduct a fact-finding probe into the rape and murder case implicating a staffer on a night sleeper train on Sunday.

She admitted that the calls for the resignation of SRT governor Praphas Chongsa-nguan in the social media were so deafening but whether the governor would quit or not depends on his own conscience.

The transport permanent secretary disclosed that she had received a report which blames the SRT’s laxity in the recruitment of new staffers or employees as part of the problem.

She noted that the suspect in the rape and murder of 13-year old Nong Kaem was recruited because he had some connections in the SRT. Also, the report of the suspects’s criminal record was given to the SRT by the suspect himself rather than being obtained from the police by the SRT and, therefore, no one knew whether the report was real or doctored.

Since the violent incident on the sleeper train, the SRT governor has ordered a recheck of all the criminal records of all the 90 new recruits to make sure they have clean records.

Mrs Soithip said that the SRT deserved to be reprimanded for its gross negligence in the recruitment process.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/srt-board-urged-consider-fate-governor/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-10

[lvr181]

"stay in the job saying quitting won't help to solve a problem".

Huh? How has staying in the job improved the SRT? Incompetent is a word that comes to mind. Don't bother transferring to an "inactive post" - just sack him along with his salary and perks.

"but whether the governor would quit or not depends on his own conscience."

Not much conscience if he hasn't quit! Does he (or the Board) not recognise that the buck stops at the top?

Edited July 10, 2014 by lvr181

[trainman34014]

Yeah; go on mate and leave, then to be replaced by the brother of the first cousin of the great grandfather of one your wive's auntie's. Lets face it; whoever takes over the shambles they call a railway is doomed to fail even if he/she does know how many people have been raped and murdered on a train. Most of them couldn't operate a model railway efficiently.

[kkerry]

Junta says no, so he won't be staying.