Thai editorial: A train service going off the rails

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
A train service going off the rails
The Nation

Sunday's brutal rape and murder of a child has shocked the country and left many reluctant to travel by rail

BANGKOK: -- News of the brutal rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl on an overnight train from Surat Thani to Bangkok on Sunday night sent shock waves across the country.

Shock at the vicious nature of the crime - the victim's body was thrown from the train after the girl was raped and killed - was compounded by the identity of the perpetrator. He was a State Railway of Thailand (SRT) employee - someone tasked with ensuring the care and safety of passengers.

SRT bed-attendant Wanchai Saengkhao, 22, was arrested after confessing to the crime on Monday night. The victim's body was found by the tracks in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Pran Buri district before dawn on Tuesday. An initial police autopsy showed that she died from suffocation.

Following his arrest, the suspect reportedly confessed to having drunk beer with his colleagues and taken drugs before committing the crime. Investigators say he also confessed to raping two fellow SRT employees during separate train rides, though the victims never alerted police. Wanchai was arrested on drug charges five years ago and reports suggest he has a history of drug abuse and involvement in the drug trade.

This case has underlined two major concerns about travelling by train - passenger safety and drug- and alcohol-fuelled crime.

The long-held assumption that trains are the safest mode of transport for long journeys is disappearing fast. It had already been eroded by a high-profile case in 2001 in which an SRT employee was found guilty of raping a woman passenger on an overnight train and sentenced to nine years in jail.

The latest assault has led to widespread debate online and in print, with some claiming to have witnessed or been the victim of improper sexual advances by drunken SRT employees during train rides. Many have called for mandatory death sentences for those guilty of rape and murder, adding that convicted sex offenders should not be pardoned or have their jail terms commuted even if they had confessed.

A senior SRT official has said employees are tested every three months for drugs and before every excursion for alcohol. But to deter alcohol and drug abuse among staff, these tests need to be more frequent and the sale of alcohol banned on board. Meanwhile any SRT worker found drinking on duty should face harsh penalties.

The SRT is one of the country's oldest state enterprises, but also among its biggest loss-makers. Improvements are badly needed in many areas - the cleanliness and hygiene of carriages, condition of the trains and general service. But passenger safety has now become the top priority. Although cases like Sunday's attack are rare, the SRT and its management must conduct a thorough and broad-ranging review and act to prevent such a crime from recurring. They need to increase security measures for passengers. Simple background checks would weed out employees with criminal records.

SRT Governor Prapat Chongsanguan should take responsibility for conditions that allowed such a brutal crime on his watch. Perhaps it's time he heeded growing calls for him to step down. Child-rights activist Wallop Tangkhananurak says the SRT cannot escape blame, adding that, in other countries, senior officials would have handed in their resignations.

The Railway Police Division, which has direct responsibility for providing security aboard trains, must also share the blame. Not a single police officer was assigned to the train on which the girl was attacked on Sunday. At the very least, there should be a police presence on every overnight train.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/A-train-service-going-off-the-rails-30238163.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-10

[The stuttering parrot]

So the authors of this piece call for a total ban of alcohol despite the fact that the incidents mentioned have all involved staff.

A drug and alcohol test for staff before journeys makes sense and a total ban on staff drinking alcohol on trips makes sense however a total ban is just completely recalcitrant and reflects on thai society that they find it hard to deal with high profile incidents such as this.

I am not sure wether this ban includes the orient express or other trains that cross the border but it would've a stupid ban if so.

We all know the damage this cheap nasty drug yaa baa can do so why not start there and beef up the fines and jail time substancially for not only dealers but the users to as the way this drug is taking hold not on in Thailand but around the world it's only going to get worse and we will be reading more terrible stories like this one.

[jaltsc]

"Sunday's brutal rape and murder of a child has shocked the country and left many reluctant to travel by rail"

Rapes happen on an hourly basis in this country (as in most other countries throughout the world), but are not reported. Most of them occur in villages, cities, homes, etc., yet no one is reluctant to frequent these places.

The problem is not where these rapes and murders occur, but the underlying culture that accepts these behaviors. The only time that people become outraged is when they are sensationalized in the media. It is not the train system, school system, political system, etc. which need to be addressed, but the permissive culture that allows, and in many cases encourages males to be irresponsible for their actions. If a child is allowed to get away with minor actions when young, he will grow up believing that there are no penalties to pay for whatever he does, whether minor infractions, or in this case, rape and murder.

You can't police every venue in the country. The best way to promote safety is to have a population that will not accept these behaviors and will take action by contacting the proper authorities when they see them occur. And to have a well trained law enforcement system that acts appropriately, honestly and effectively.

[lostsoul49]

Not sure I agree with the use of the term 'drug and alcohol fuelled crime'...

The capability and intent is already inside the person. Nothing else to be added.

This is his third time offence while on his duty.

Nothing to do with drugs and alcohol.... everything to do with the fact he is a complete evil monster which the world can do without.... put the needle in his arm and do everyone a favour by sending out the message that this is what happens when you touch our children.

[lostsoul49]

So the authors of this piece call for a total ban of alcohol despite the fact that the incidents mentioned have all involved staff.

A drug and alcohol test for staff before journeys makes sense and a total ban on staff drinking alcohol on trips makes sense however a total ban is just completely recalcitrant and reflects on thai society that they find it hard to deal with high profile incidents such as this.

I am not sure wether this ban includes the orient express or other trains that cross the border but it would've a stupid ban if so.

We all know the damage this cheap nasty drug yaa baa can do so why not start there and beef up the fines and jail time substancially for not only dealers but the users to as the way this drug is taking hold not on in Thailand but around the world it's only going to get worse and we will be reading more terrible stories like this one.

I agree, an alcohol ban is no different to punishing every customer of a nightclub because a staff member gets pissed and punches someone.

You wouldn't do it, but this is the best thing that dick wad who refuses to resign comes up with.

Only in Thailand.

[lostsoul49]

"Sunday's brutal rape and murder of a child has shocked the country and left many reluctant to travel by rail"

Ridiculous statement. Rapes happen on an hourly basis in this country, but are not reported.Most of them occur in villages, cities, homes, etc., yet no one is reluctant to frequent these places.

Not sure what your point is... mostly does not make any sense.

For the record my wife;s sister who travels alone a lot on the train posted on her FB page that she won't travel alone on a train any more... so it is certainly deterring some people.

How can you feel safe when the person actually charged with looking after your security is the one who is the predator?

People won't look the same at these people for a long time to come.

[96tehtarp]

"Not a single police officer was assigned to the train on which the girl was attacked on Sunday. At the very least, there should be a police presence on every overnight train."

SRT has their own Railway Police. There are normally a few on every train.

Many times I have seen these guys who have embroidered badges clearly stating "Railway Police" on their uniforms watch passively as SRT staff consume alcohol.

[jaltsc]

"Sunday's brutal rape and murder of a child has shocked the country and left many reluctant to travel by rail"

Ridiculous statement. Rapes happen on an hourly basis in this country, but are not reported.Most of them occur in villages, cities, homes, etc., yet no one is reluctant to frequent these places.

Not sure what your point is... mostly does not make any sense.

For the record my wife;s sister who travels alone a lot on the train posted on her FB page that she won't travel alone on a train any more... so it is certainly deterring some people.

How can you feel safe when the person actually charged with looking after your security is the one who is the predator?

People won't look the same at these people for a long time to come.

Sorry, the response was entered before it was completed. Please read the entire narrative. I think it might make more sense.

[doremifasol]

And what to say about so many Taxi drivers high on drugs

getting horny while transporting a female passenger?

I think that most of the Taxi drivers were once part of

a drugs rehabilitation program, many of them succeeded and never

looked back but so many didn't (or it didn't last).

Don't taxi drivers need to provide a health certificate in order to get a job?

It feels awful getting in a cab and realizing the driver totally wasted.

[selftaopath]

Thailand=LOS=Lack of Sanctions

[PaPiPuPePo]

I've been following this news in part because of the heinous nature of the crime, just sickening, and frankly in part because I was on the same train a day later. It was before I saw the news, but I did notice the SRT employees seemed even more serious than usual, and there were no beer hawkers on the train, though I didn't think of it at the time because I rarely drink alcohol.

I take the overnight trains merely to save money over flying. But every trip I say "never again," simply because the tracks are in such bad shape. I've travelled pretty extensively on the Chinese rail system and the tracks are smooth enough; Thailand's narrow-gauge uneven tracks are a disgrace--the article points out the carriage problems, which are true, but oddly omits mention of the horrible tracks. I find it curious that in well over a dozen trips I've never heard a foreign rider comment on this; I guess they think it's normal to have sudden jolts and/or get tossed around the bunk in a train.

Maybe the SRT bleeds money because the trains are old and grubby, the bunks on most are not private and small, the privacy on them is minimal at best, and the tracks are tortuous to ride on. Just maybe. They could save millions by not cooling them to a meat-preserving temperature as well, but I guess the SRT needs to feel it's as classy and wasteful in that regard as the Bangkok metro systems.

Reading the various threads here on this topic, I find it interesting that so many posters object to any ban on alcohol--first and foremost, or it's the only point they raise. A heinous crime like this happens, obviously drug-fueled, and the most important point to raise is "No, don't ban the beer?!" It's not "alcohol and drugs," alcohol is a drug, and if you can't go a day without a drink or three, sorry to bear bad tidings, but you're a drug addict. Likewise, the comment that this guy would have done what he did without being "high" on yabaa and drunk as well is analogous to the argument that "guns don't kill people, people kill people." Alcohol lowers inhibitions and clouds judgement; it's scientifically proven (never mind that it's obvious), and yet it's conveniently ignored by alcohol drinkers. Denial's a powerful force.

And meth use is a cancer here like in so many other countries; it's a really thorny problem that's very far from being managed, say nothing of resolved.

The best outcome of this horrible tragedy might be the family suing the sh!te out of SRT and winning, and a national conversation starting, and then steps taken, to deal with not just the yabaa problem, but the rampant alcoholism, and most of all the treatment of (young) women. I'm not going to hold my breath.

[klauskunkel]

As always when something bad happens for a Thai institution the first statement was to blame an outside company. When that backfired, they come up with a generalized "solution" (total ban on alcohol sales for all and sundry), designed to reroute the blame, as opposed to caring for and doing their job properly (revise procedures, enforce policies, accept blame and create measures). These people are only concerned with their faces, not with their mandates and responsibilities. In another article the SRT governor said, he understood how the victim's family felt because he has also a daughter. Well, does your daughter take the train, or the SRT chauffeured company car?

If the victim had been a farang...I shouldn't be going there...

[Benmart]

So the authors of this piece call for a total ban of alcohol despite the fact that the incidents mentioned have all involved staff.

A drug and alcohol test for staff before journeys makes sense and a total ban on staff drinking alcohol on trips makes sense however a total ban is just completely recalcitrant and reflects on thai society that they find it hard to deal with high profile incidents such as this.

I am not sure wether this ban includes the orient express or other trains that cross the border but it would've a stupid ban if so.

We all know the damage this cheap nasty drug yaa baa can do so why not start there and beef up the fines and jail time substancially for not only dealers but the users to as the way this drug is taking hold not on in Thailand but around the world it's only going to get worse and we will be reading more terrible stories like this one.

I agree, an alcohol ban is no different to punishing every customer of a nightclub because a staff member gets pissed and punches someone.

You wouldn't do it, but this is the best thing that dick wad who refuses to resign comes up with.

Only in Thailand.

Name calling puts one into the arena of discredit.

[jvs]

A total alcohol ban on trains is not part of the answer,the crime was committed by an employee who should not have been drinking in the first place.

Alcohol is not to blame,it is the person consuming it.

It is all about taking responsibility and not blaming it on another source.

The other railway employees are also to blame imo.for not reporting him.

I have said it before and will again,as long as the 'mai pen rai' attitude remains things will not change.

[meatboy]

As always when something bad happens for a Thai institution the first statement was to blame an outside company. When that backfired, they come up with a generalized "solution" (total ban on alcohol sales for all and sundry), designed to reroute the blame, as opposed to caring for and doing their job properly (revise procedures, enforce policies, accept blame and create measures). These people are only concerned with their faces, not with their mandates and responsibilities. In another article the SRT governor said, he understood how the victim's family felt because he has also a daughter. Well, does your daughter take the train, or the SRT chauffeured company car?

If the victim had been a farang...I shouldn't be going there...

I agree with you 100%.you have it smack on,its all about,no blame,no shame,greed,face, this has shocked nearly all of Thailand,yet something like this goes on almost every day.never have I seen so many threads on this,but will anything change FOR THE BETTER.

[IAMSOBAD]

Let the big boss serve the first year in the cell with the rapist. Send a message that shitttt rolls down hill. Make the top personnel know they also will be punished for their staffs crimes.

Have a nice day...

[ClutchClark]

So the authors of this piece call for a total ban of alcohol despite the fact that the incidents mentioned have all involved staff.

A drug and alcohol test for staff before journeys makes sense and a total ban on staff drinking alcohol on trips makes sense however a total ban is just completely recalcitrant and reflects on thai society that they find it hard to deal with high profile incidents such as this.

I am not sure wether this ban includes the orient express or other trains that cross the border but it would've a stupid ban if so.

We all know the damage this cheap nasty drug yaa baa can do so why not start there and beef up the fines and jail time substancially for not only dealers but the users to as the way this drug is taking hold not on in Thailand but around the world it's only going to get worse and we will be reading more terrible stories like this one.

You read an article about a brutal assault and murder and all you can think to discuss is the unfair ban on alcohol.

[bigbamboo]

So the authors of this piece call for a total ban of alcohol despite the fact that the incidents mentioned have all involved staff.

A drug and alcohol test for staff before journeys makes sense and a total ban on staff drinking alcohol on trips makes sense however a total ban is just completely recalcitrant and reflects on thai society that they find it hard to deal with high profile incidents such as this.

I am not sure wether this ban includes the orient express or other trains that cross the border but it would've a stupid ban if so.

We all know the damage this cheap nasty drug yaa baa can do so why not start there and beef up the fines and jail time substancially for not only dealers but the users to as the way this drug is taking hold not on in Thailand but around the world it's only going to get worse and we will be reading more terrible stories like this one.

You read an article about a brutal assault and murder and all you can think to discuss is the unfair ban on alcohol.

The comment is also about how the authorities are deflecting blame and failing to tackle the problem by painting over the cracks.