Sleepers:Bedbugs

[GWR]

SRT to suspend services of 10 bedbug-infested air-conditioned carriages

The State Railway Authority of Thailand announced Saturday that it will suspend the services of ten air-conditioned carriages for 15 days because of bedbug infestation.

Phaiat Rojcharoenngarm said four Bangkok-Chiang carriages, two Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani carriaes, two Bangkok-Yala carriages and two Bangkok-Surat Thani carriages will be suspected from service from March 17 to 31 for officials to disinfect them.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30068271

[Wisarut]

For the case of Bedbug in Daewoo Sprinter scandals, you can see the details here:

http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2021

Now, SRT has to suspededd Daewoo service for 15 Days to replacve thsoe seats cover with the leater to prevente bedbugs ... Furthermore, the hot detergent liquid will be applied al;ogn with DDT to remove any bedbugs ...

ONLY Special Express 3/4 asnd Speciual Express 39/40 will be running since they use the BREL Speinter which ues seats made from leather ...

[GWR]

There was a a picture in one of the English-language dailies today of SRT employees completely stripping sleeper coaches for fumigation. Unfortunately, it seems to have crawled back into the woodwork.

This report was also featured frontpage on this site today:
http://www.2bangkok.com

ISAN TRAIN INFESTATIONS

Foreign backpackers deny they're bed bug spreaders

LAMPHAI INTATHEP & AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

Foreign backpackers say they are disgusted by bed bugs, but even more disgusted by the suggestion they are the ones carrying the insects onto trains. Many foreign backpackers waiting for trains at Hua Lampong station yesterday conceded they knew little about bed bug infestations on trains.

They said the thought of bed bugs crawling on the velvety seats of long-haul trains and biting passengers while they dozed off was truly off-putting.

But to be accused of carrying the blood-sucking bugs on to trains was even more disgusting, said many foreign backpackers interviewed yesterday by the Bangkok Post at the train terminal.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat said yesterday the bugs may have jumped onto travellers' backpacks during forest treks and then found new homes in the cosy seats of the trains. He said the velvet-covered seats and cool temperatures contributed to make the trains a fertile breeding ground for the insects.

Many passengers on the Daewoo diesel trains on some northeastern lines have complained about bed bug bites.

A foreign tourist at Hua Lamphong train terminal said he did not think backpackers were to blame for infesting trains with bed bugs. — SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN

Denise Russell, 18, from Scotland, said the bed bug story was ''disgusting and terrible''.

She always cleaned her bags and clothes, she said. It was the duty of the railway authorities to keep the train carriages thoroughly clean and hygienic.

A group of young foreign backpackers looked offended when asked to comment on the minister's theory.

''Look in your own bag. Any bugs in there?'' said a girl in the group, who did not give her name.

American Sean Vaughan-Housman, 23, said he had not heard the news about the train beg bugs, but added he had come across the insects at a guesthouse.

But it may be unfair to point the finger at backpackers for the infestation of bugs on the trains, he said. .

Sawittee Malaipan, an entomologist at Kasetsart University, said some foreigners, including refugees and tourists, did not like to take baths and so they attracted the insects.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/150308_News/15Mar2008_news06.php