Thai Transport Minister Sophon Saram announced yesterday that he would hold the Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva personally responsible if previously sacked State Railway of Thailand (SRT) workers were to be re-instated.

Thursday 5th November 2009 (PDN): During a meeting between union leaders of SRT, Governor for SRT Mr Yuthana Thapcharoen and Transport Minister Sophon Saram, Prime Minister Abhisit mentioned that he would listen to the staff demands for improved safety on trains travelling to the deep south, and consider the re-instatement of sacked workers.

Prime Minister Abhisit also stated to the SRT union members that he would investigate whether the sacked workers should be held responsible for the strike and that he would provide them with a chance to appeal. When asked if he felt increased pressure to act after a statement made by the Thai Transport Minister that he should be held responsible if the sacked workers were reinstated, Abhisit responded by say he did not believe that the Minister would have said something like that.

At the meeting PM Abhisit declared that he had now reached an understanding with the SRT labour union in regards to a reform of the current system, with the intent of making it more streamlined and efficient. The PM demanded that SRT executives come up with a safety plan for their staff and also asked that the union not stage any more strikes, causing further disruption to an already unreliable service.

The Prime Minister further announced that the government was willing to inject much needed funds into the system in order to improve the service for its customers. It is perceived that the funds would help in the construction of new train tracks, the purchase or maintenance of locomotives and improvement of current SRT management procedures.