South rail back to service in Thailand

BANGKOK - It is not the first time than insurgents in Thailand Deep South where Muslim population of Malay origin live. Over the last decade, traffic was many times interrupted due to bomb exploding along the track. A new series of powerful bombs exploded again on May 14, damaging two rail bridges. The damage isolated totally rail traffic to Sungai Kolok, the city located just across the border to Malaysia and regularly a victim of attacks by radical Islamic groups as it is seen as “Sin City” with its casinos and entertainment venues. For the next two weeks, trains from Bangkok had to stop at Tanyongmat Station with the trip continuing by a bus provided by the State Railways of Thailand –SRT.

SRT was then forced to cancel 14 daily routes. A special working force of 20 specialists from Bangkok and Hat Yai worked then round-the-clock under tight security to repair the tracks and reopen the rail route as quick as possible. Finally, on May 30, the service to Sungai Kolok was restored after a 16-day interruption. However train attendance remained slow as passengers continue to fear for their life on the rail service, according to local newspapers. Rain users ask now the Military Government to strengthen the security along the rail network. Train services to Sadao, on the border in Songkhla province, are not affected.

The insurgency in Southern Thailand has claimed life to 6,000 people since it started just a decade ago. In 2006 and 2007, close to 1600 people were killed during the two-year period.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews