BANGKOK, Nov 3 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva pledged to form a committee to oversee the security of the state railway, ruling out the possibility of privatisation of the state enterprise during the meeting with the railway labour union on Tuesday.

The prime minister met with State Railway of Thailand (SRT) union president Sawit Kaewwan and six employees who were fired for their part in the work stoppage in the South. However, SRT executives and the transport minister didn’t join the meeting.

Mr Sawit said that the premier has reaffirmed setting up a special committee to oversee security of the national train services as proposed by the union, but he will discuss the issue with SRT management on Wednesday.

The union chief said he reasserted to Mr Abhisit that the union's recent actions were focused on the safety of passengers, and he also informed the premier about corruption in the SRT management.

The premier insisted that his government will not implement the privatisation of any state enterprise, according to the union president, adding that the premier said a development master plan of the SRT will be proposed to the cabinet for consideration in the coming weeks.

However, Mr Sawit said he is not confident with what he has discussed with Mr Abhisit, urging him to clarify the matter within 15 days.

Meanwhile, transport minister Sopon Zarum said he was not invited to attend Tuesday’s meeting. He said he will propose a plan to reform the SRT to the cabinet next week and would hold a news conference on that issue on Monday.

The SRT labour union on Monday petitioned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva via Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart, urging him to revoke the SRT dismissal order of six railway workers at Hat Yai Junction, saying that the order to fire them is unfair. The union also urged the premier to dismiss the SRT Governor Yutthana Thaocharoen due to his mismanagement.

Mr Yuthana earlier ordered the firing of six railway workers for committing ‘drastic offences’ against the state enterprise and violating a court order instructing the train services to resume operation.

The SRT also sought an order at the Labour Court to terminate the employment of six railway workers for their roles in the two-week long train stoppage in the South, causing Bt70.4 million in damages to the state enterprise. (TNA)