View Full Version : HatYai-GolokLine:ServiceResumes
Reiner Zimmermann sent this interesting train trip from Bangkok-Singapore
Trip Report Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore 5.-11.3.2004
Bangkok, 20th March 2004
The following shall try to describe an(almost)all-rail-journey from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong Station) to Singapore through the eastern line of the Malaysian Railways, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM).
Itinerary:
5-6/3/04:Special Express no. 37, Bangkok/Sungai Kolok
7/3/04: Local M/84 Wakaf Bharu/Tumpat
7/3/04: Local M/83 Tumpat/Gua Musang
8/3/04: Local M/91 Gua Musang/Kuala Lipis
10/3/04: Local M/57 Kuala Lipis/Singapore
11/3/04: CX 712 Singapore/Bangkok
The Journey:
Departure from Bangkok on time at 15:15 , "seen off" by Rob Boer who managed to just being around. 2nd class aircon sleeper, which apart from the economic factor, is always a challenge: does one want to hear and smell the progress of the trip by opening the windows and allow in fresh and mostly country-side air, accompanied every so often be a wave of engine-emitted diesel fumes (The scent of steam would be a different story)? Does one enjoy the occasionally remaining clicky-di-clack of the joints and the inevitable rattling when going over turn-outs? Is one ready to pay the price of begging that for the sake of air-movement the train may please move on, everytime it is sitting in tropical heat waiting for the up-train to pass or having to be content being at the mercy of the ceiling fan? Or sit in the sometimes ice-cold comfort of airconditioning, concealed from the outside world and life at the wayside stations? Our concealment was exacerbated by SRT's latest fad of wrapping their coaches including the windows in all-over-advertising. The fact that the "wrapping" of our coach no. 14 was - I believe - sponsored by Beer Chang did little to improve the impaired view. A consolation was, though, that Beer Chang and many other brands of drinks, alcoholic and non-and alcoholic, along with the usual array of Thai food and snacks, came inside by means of a relentless succession of "resident" and station-confined vendors. My favourite station in this regard is Nakhom Pathon, allowing a late lunch of hotx2 food (freshly cooked and spicy).
Nakhom Pathom was reached with a mere 8 minutes delay. Double track operation on the Southern Line between Bangbanru and Nakhom Pathom probably helped to be "almost in time".( The second track, laid years ago from Bang Sue, across Rama VI bridge, and up to Bangbanru, shows clear signs of decay through a long period of non-use). Wake-up time was in Pathalung where we would not have woken up had the train not be so helpful as of giving us an extra 30 minutes sleeping time, a very reasonable performance, I would say. However, upon departure and after dwelling there for half-an-hour we left Hat Yai at 8 o'clock against the scheduled 07:10. By the time we had reached Sungai Kolok it was 11:36 vs 10:40 and we had clocked up a journey-time of just over 20 hours. Most passengers had disembarked by the time the train left Yala. 7 pairs of trains serve Sungai Kolok, thereof no.171 and our 37 over all the 1143km from Bangkok. The station building, fairly sizeable, seems to have had facilities for railbound border clearance into Malaysia; yet today, passenger trains end here and it is left to the determined traveller to find his way towards the southern neighbour. There are no obvious signs helping to direct you, and no "formal" means of transport; the track continuing southbound being the best pointer. The station compound has to be circumvented by public road, passing the plinthed North British no. 175 and, on track beyond the turntable, a vintage British-made steam crane. A walkway through a small park gave access to the track which allowed the immediate conclusion that it was indeed in use.
Instead of re-joining the road for the about 1 km walk we decided to "play train" towards the border, traversing landscaped, if decaying surroundings. The German-style signal was in our favour and it appears as though we could have rolled directly into Rantau Panjang station. At least no border-style
barriers were in view before, on, or after the girder bridge accross Sungai river.
At this point the "official" road access was parted from the railway track by topography and a row of border-related dwellings. Lest encountering possibly less appreciative border guards of Thai or Malay >description, we decided to "derail" ourselves and entered through the backdoor of a building which turned out to house the office of the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Here the first relevant piece of information came to hand: yes, there are cross-border trains, one goods train per day and direction. Why no passenger trains?: mairou, I don't know!. Leaving Thailand and entering Malaysia was fairly uncomplicated, although the chap at the Thai border took longer to process the passports than the slowest of his colleagues at Don Muang would have done. Malaysia has new entry forms, Singapore-style, and the ones prepared at home could be scrapped.
Rantau Panjang station came prominently in view from no-men's-land - i.e. it is right at the border and not as remote as its former counterpart in Thailand. The view became incredibly good when crossing the track by foot bridge right after border clearance. What it revealed was a modern station with all regular facilities, an airconditioned lobby and a staffed ticket-counter. Trains? no trains, except goods trains as per demand. Daily? not necessarily. When was the station built? 1998, commissiond in 2000. Maybe.
Yes, there were trains in the past, local ones, and they may just, perhaps, reappear one day. How to get to Kota Bharu? By bus or taxi, 100 meters down the road. How good that the Malays speak English so well! 30 or 35 km by taxi, an old Datsun of 1973-vintage, strangly familiar to the one we used to have in Germany (many more did we see in Kelantan. Paradise for friends of antique Japanese cars). We were passing Pasir Mas station on the way which is the junction for the line to Thailand. The closest station to Kota Bharu is Wakaf Bahru, 10 Ringgit by taxi. There are buses, but we opted for slightly more convenience. The buses by appearance, standard and type did not offer any particular incentive to someone who prefers walking railway tracks as the next best thing to riding trains over them. The lodging in Kota Bharu was decidedly backpackerish, nothing wrong with that, friendly local Chinese landlord with a framed reward on the wall, certifying cleanliness of the place. The price was slightly above what one would have had to pay in similar establishments in Thailand. Premium for the absence of any language barrier? Rather not, as we subsequently found the general level of prices for everyday commodities just a shade above those in Thailand.
But this was, of course, the Capital city of Kelantan state. Beer? Yes, we got after a water-accompanied night-market dinner, in a small Chinese haunt next to the guest house.
The next morning saw us waiting at Wakaf Bharu station for about one extra hour for our train to Tumpat, the end of the line. Why north to Tumpat, if you want to go south to Gua Musang? Precisely, because it is the end of the line and we wanted all of it. The British style barriers of the level
>crossing closed, mainline diesel class 24, 24109, and later an inspection trolley came along; fun they were having whilst we were waiting for our train. But we got our reward: 24109 came to pick up a string of (empty) SRT goods wagons, presumable to haul them back to the Rantau Panjang border crossing. Empty makes sense: the shops and supermarkets in what we saw of Malaysia were full of Thai merchandise, rice, canned tuna, what have you. I have no trade statistics, but it seems that, in that region at least, Thai exports to Malaysia overwhelm.
See PART II
Part 2
Tumpat station presented itself freshly renovated. It was reached within 26 Minutes with 2 intermediate piles-of-sleepers stops. The neat appearance of the time-honoured building was in strange contrast to the surprisingly shabby and run-down condition of the rolling stock with which the "local" stop-trains seem to be equipped. Our train, M/83, was bound for Gua Musang only. This is a kind of breaking point on the eastern line. There are 5 daily departures (6 on weekends) from Tumpat: - Local M93/94 - (ca) 03:40, for Gua Musang, arr. (ca) 09:25 ((ca) denotes timetable before 1st March, 04, new one not at hand)
- Local M91/92 - 05:35, for Gemas, arr (ca) 19:25
- Local M82/84 - 13:20, for Gua Musang, arr 19:30
- Express XST15/14 - 19:00, for Singapore, arr 09:05
- Express XW17/16 - 18:00, for Kuala Lumpur arr 07:25
- Express XK19/18 - 19:00, for Kuala Lumpur arr 08:08 (weekends only)
Also on the Eastern Line:
- Local M57/58 - Gua Musang 05:10 to Singapore arr 17:15
Our M/83 offered us an abundance of free seats at Tumpat but filled up quickly at subsequent stations. Carriages were of 1980ies vintage, probably down-graded from a former express train status and now utterly neglected. This seemed to apply to all trains north of Gua Musang; whilst express trains and the M/57 into Singapore were of much higher standard and state of maintenance. Heavy delays of upto one hour seem to be the rule, at least at the time we had the privilege of waiting! The line down to Gemas where it branches from the Singapore/Kuala Lumpur mainline, is single track throughout with token-operation. British style signals and turnouts operated with classical heavy levers and bars prevail. The major stations are in a decent state whilst many of the minor ones, eventhough still scheduled stopping points, are often in state of destruction and semi-demolished, down to the pile of sleepers serving as a platform.
Gua Musang, apart from being a kind of "railway town", had a history of a place trading with timber, rubber and other produce. The small towns, like Kota Baru and, as we should see, Kuala Lipis, are predominantly Chinese. We afforded ourselves a proper and modern Hotel and I instantly felt by design and style being back somewhere in China. Chinese restaurants offered Chinese food and Carlsberg beer (and we were still in Kelantan, under Islamic PAS-rule!). The next morning saw us waiting in the rain, having invested in one colourful umbrella. The delayed early morning departure M/93 came all way from Tumpat, terminating here and discharging loads of veiled ladies with their baskets and bags full of local merchandise.
Subsequent shunting to turn the M/93(south) into the M/94(north) allowed some photo taking of (TATA?) diesel 6665 and its decaying string of coaches. M/91 from Tumpas (scheduled/actual departure from Gua Musang 11:41/12:22) then took us on the 2hours/23 minutes run to Kuala Lipis in Pahang state.
Discharged from the conveniently located station right into the centre of a small town with rows of 1920ies Chinese shophouses we turned back-packers again. The guesthouse selected was the most suitable place with an owner/guide to get us into Kenong Rimba Park on the following day. It is almost inaccessible, requires a boat ride of 1 to 1-1/2 hours and involves fairly tough jungle-walking and sustained battles with leeches. Town and park are potential tourist treasures but remain largely untouched. A set-back was that even a Chinese restaurant (serving delicious fish from the local Sungai Jelai(River)) does offer neither beer nor pork: we have applied for a halal-license, you know, because the most affluent customer are Malays.
Just beyond Kuala Lipis ends the scenic part of the eastern line - running amidst jungle vegetation, alongside or across rivers and through about 8 short tunnels. Should anyone ever wish to go - take the slow day-trains, no aircon, open windows, local "folklore". The tickets are computerized, in general, but for the M/57 from Kuala Lipis we got a hand-completed "Tiket Tambah Tambang (Tunai)" - whatever that may mean. At least we can read what they write - and in contrast to Thailand suddenly you are not illiterate anymore... Tremendously helpful in food-outlets with Malay menus only: Ayam, Nasi,. Mee, Kari. no problem,one will soon know. No problem enjoying Kampung Ayam, village chicken, which we were so much missing in Thailand because of the bird flue - how come they did not get it in Malaysia?
M/57, although local, was airconditioned and clean. Regrettably, the - non-aircon - dining-car did not contain much else but a sleeping attendent, strange? There were no roving vendors either. The trick to avoid starvation of which most passengers seem to have been aware, is to jump and run at Gemas station to the station-based food stalls. The schedule presumably allows for this exercise - but since trains do not exactly run to schedule - who knows when they will move on? Pity, plinthed 1946 North British 504.36 was too far off to be captured for a photo. The train departed Gemas at 12:52 instead of 12:35, not so bad. But in Johore Bahru it was going to be 17:09 vs 16:16.
From now on it was more rubber plantations, palmoil plantations and other attractive scenery. Cities seemed to be considerably more bustling than Kuala Lipis; this was the west coast area.
The Causeway connects Malaysia's Johore Bharu and Singapore . The surprise came at the Singapore end. A new immigration complex has replaced the former facilities at Keppel Road, obliging all passengers-cum-luggage to disembark, push through customs and immigration and reboard the train - minus those who decide to end their journey at the Woodlands area. Not few did so decide, in fact it seemed to have been the majority. The remaining 30-odd kilometer through Singapore showed the city from its greenest side. No trace was there of any of the spur lines to Jurong, still shown on earlier maps. At least at one level crossing British style gates were in place. Keppel station is still pretty busy with 6 daily arrivals/departures from/to Kuala Lumpur (3 pairs), Tumpat, Gua Musang and Gemas. The station in its location remains in isolation, and even a tourist map titled "Singapore by rail" neither depicts it nor the line. Hotel staff, challenged for comments, referred to "politics" which are not subject to any public expression of opinions. For many years the Singapore government has been pondering over cutting the line at Woodlands - practical implementation seems to be blocked by Malaysia who is the souvereign over the railway land. Should the day come eventually, one wonders how passengers are expected to reach downtown Singapore, considering the probably "purpose"-built border facilities are a distance away from the Woodlands MRT-line.
One more Singapore development: MRT is now on a contact-less ticket-system only. Effective 4th November 2003 the "ez-link"-card (which used to be along the lines of Hong Kong's "Octopus"-card) now incorporates non-refundable card costs of S$ 5.--, besides a "Refundable Travel Deposit" of S$3.-- and a stored value of S$7.--. The single ride tickets incorporate a S$1.--deposit which has to be redeemed at the end of the trip at the ticket vending machines. We donated our S$2.-- to the Cathay check-in girl because we failed to redeem them. Wonder which sick brain has conceived that system - and Hong Kong, beware!
Best regards
Reiner Zimmermann
bangyuk
23-03-04, 05:54 PM
Thanks Reiner for a really good report - would be great if others could send in similar.
I seem to remember cossing the border at Sungai Kulok by train in about 1989? If that was the crossing i remember, it was in a 3rd class train, and as we approached the border dozens of people ran alongside the train throwing smuggled goods in to people already on the train. Once over the border, several tonnes of goods were then chucked out of the windows before we reached the station. Maybe that is why the service was discontinued??
I seem to remember Sungai Kulok as being a bit wild west at the best of times!
jpatokal
23-03-04, 09:07 PM
Excellent report! I've been planning the same trip myself, although I was planning to venture up the boring normal west coast route instead -- I think you just made me change my mind!
Regarding Singaporean railway politics, the situation is indeed that Malaysia owns the track that goes into Singapore. Thus, Singapore has no incentive to promote rail travel (because all the money goes to KTMB), and Malaysia has no incentive to promote rail travel (because it would serve just Singaporeans). The only reason the line survives at all is that KTMB makes wads of dough selling X ringgit tickets for X Sing dollars...!
The Woodlands immigration point is intended primarily for car traffic. Train passengers also clear there because it's the easiest option fo Singov and, again, they have no incentive to make train travel easier. If schedules permit the train is still the fastest way to bypass the Causeway's traffic jams though...
And oh yes, the $5 nonrefundable EZ-Link payment was introduced because even with the previous deposit they were sold at a loss. People snapped up a bunch because they were "free" and it's convinient to have a couple, so the issuing company lost money... but why didn't they just increase the deposit then? :confused:
surabaya
10-07-04, 07:03 AM
does anybody have any information about any passenger service on this line?
i was down there recently and was surprised to see a smartly renovated staion at RP on the malaysian side. the guy in the ticket office told me the last service from tumpat to sungai golok stopped in 1978.
i read that during the war a guy got the train from rp up to yala...also that when the line opened it would take half a day to reach alor star via the south of thailand, which i presume means via hat yai - takes longer now!
anybody with further information???
thx
Wisarut
10-07-04, 07:48 PM
Now, thate are only cargo services going betwen Hat Yai to Rantu Panjang via Sugai Kolok
So far SRT is trying to relive the line by introducing Hatayi - Sugai Kolok - Wakaf Baru as diesel railcar as shown here
However, it seems to me that KTMB is not interest to take care fo this DMU so the line terminated at Sugai Kolok instread
http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/fanrotfaithai/pic/0003359.jpg
surabaya
13-07-04, 08:39 PM
like i say the station was spotless as if waiting for a service to begin.
Wisarut
13-07-04, 10:49 PM
I Got the list of Malasian railway Stations and Halts from Geocities.jp
----------------------------------------
Station Distance Distance Between Station
(km) (km)
----------------------------------------
Sungei Golok 0.0 0.0
Thailand/Malaysia Border 1.3 1.3
Rantau Panjang 1.6 0.3
Gual Sitok Halt 4.8 3.2
Gual Periok 8.0 3.2
Lubok Batil Halt 12.8 4.8
Repek 16.1 3.3
Pasir Mas 20.9 4.8 (Junction to Tumpat - Gemas)
R. Zimmermann
14-07-04, 12:18 PM
Please refer to my travel report somewhere in the railways threat.
I reported on the situation as I had seen it.
Wisarut
21-07-04, 10:30 PM
http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/fanrotfaithai/pic/000619.jpg
This is a photo of The Railway Bridge across Kolok River taken from the Concrete bridge from Rantau Panjang side during the rainy season. That's why the rivedr leve is high with reddish
color. It could flood Sirindhorn park.
Sugai Kolok side will be the smaller structure while the larger structure was in Rantau Panjang side.
Sugai Kolok side will have a small Sirindhorn Park.
The bridge pillars were made of red bricks.
Note that there is a daily Thai train across Kolok river - Train No 703/704. There is sporadic Malaysian train across Kolok river.
(Uncle Reiner better REPOST the article alogn with photographs)
Malaysian train will go across Padang besar as daily routine since Padang besar belongs to KTMB while Sugai Kolok belongs to SRT.
The speed limit for crossing Kolok river via the iron bridge is 25 kph since it uses 60 Lb/yard rail type. Better replace that old
60 Lb/Yard rail to 100 Lb/yard welded steel rails to accept higher axle load - 20 Ton preferred. Even better, Double track alogn with the rehabilitationfrom Hatyai to Sugai Kolok will help to cement the security throug the convenient transportation.
The Border Pillar is in Sirindhorn Park along Kolok river. It was inscribed as "Prathet Thai - Lak Ang Ing Khet Daeen" (Thailand - Reference Border Pillar). You could see those concrete pillar until it reaches the mouth of Kolok river at Ban Taba, Takbai District of Narathiwat (Pillar 70). Pillar 1 is near the mouth of Sugai Satul
near Thaleban National park.
sabaisabai
27-03-05, 09:05 PM
I'm just wondering about the status of the train service between Hat Yai and Sungai Kolok, and how it's been affected by the problems in the south. Do passenger trains still run that full stretch, only part of that stretch or not at all? Has the frequency been reduced?
The last time I took a train from HT to Bangkok, the timetable showed that the service originated in Sungai Kolok, but the service only originated at HY.. that was at the start of December.
Just asking out of curiosity.. thanks for any help on this one.
Wisarut
27-03-05, 09:54 PM
For the train services from Hat Yai to Sugei Golok (e.g. Southern Express 37/38, Rapid 175/176 or so), they are requite to have at least
6 Army Officers with full arms guarding each passenger bogie.
Wisarut
28-03-05, 12:23 AM
After Bombing at Sugei Padi Station on March 27, 2005 -> as well as the murdering of Railway officers at Tanyong Mas station,
SRT services have been shortened to Tanyong Mas and SRT is runnign bus service from Tanyong Mas to pick up those passenger who either want to go to Sugei Golok or thsoer who want to ride teh train from Sugei Golok.
sabaisabai
28-03-05, 10:51 AM
For the train services from Hat Yai to Sugei Golok (e.g. Southern Express 37/38, Rapid 175/176 or so), they are requite to have at least
6 Army Officers with full arms guarding each passenger bogie.
So before March 27, the services were running as normal, but with soldiers on board? Seems pretty frightening to me, and it must be a real head-ache for the SRT employees working that line.
Wisarut
28-03-05, 01:07 PM
Yes, SRT has requested for Army Protection since the trouyblesome Southern provinces got aflame ....
However, SRT maintainance workers also requires 24-hour protection when they are reparing the rails turn apart by BOMBs.
ThaiTripper
10-05-05, 06:04 PM
We have just completed a round trip from BKK to Kuala Lumpur.
On the way down overnighting at Hat Yai (HaddYai) and crossing the border at Padang Basar . On the return leg we took the "Jungle train" cross country up to Kota Bahru. 1hr bus ride to The Malay Border. Crossed over at Sungai Golok and took the over night back to bangkok.
It was very enjoyable and without any hassels.
The only evidence of any possible problem was the occasional army standing on the railway station.
The problem for sure is there but we didn't have any and are glad we did the trip.
Go ahead enyoy it.........................................
Bangkok Post 10/05/2005
Wan Mohammed Nor Mattha (one of Taksin's advisors, ex House-Speaker & ex Transport Minister has just reopened the renovated railway station at Yala. He urged locals to keep the station clean (Truthfully, the railway station used to be about the worst thing in a city that has won 'Best-Kept City' Awards several times. WMNM said the Government had pledged to improve local train services & renovate railway stations. He also urged locals to help protect stations against terrorist attack.
By this point I suspect Khun Wisaruth is spitting blood. And I have to say I'm in full agreement with you on this one Khun W!. This guy is totally incapable of playing a straight wicket!
Wisarut
12-05-05, 09:45 AM
Now, some guy has line the drawings of Yala Station (originallyfrom Civil Work Dept of Yala). Take alook at his:
http://www.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2912
with the bad guys doing damage to the railway the Railways should bring out of retirement the Armoured Railcars for track inspection.
:D
2 wounded in Southern train attack
NARATHIWAT, April 14 (TNA) - Suspected insurgents Saturday morning attacked a train in this violence-wracked southern province and wounded two persons while security forces apprehended seven militant suspects, including a man wanted in connection with charges of threatening security in the far South, officials said.
The northbound train travelling between Sungai Kolok district and Nakhon Si Thammarat province was assaulted by a group of suspected militants just before it reached a train workers' residence in Ruso district of Narathiwat province.
The attackers fired dozens of salvos of gunfire at the train, forcing passengers to hide themselves for protection. Two passengers were wounded and were urgently dispatched to hospital in the district.
...........
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28917
SRT suspend rail service to Yala-Sungaigolok
The State Railway of Thailand has decided to suspend train services along the Yala-Sungaikolok route until the unrest situation improve.
The Chief of the SRT Public Relations Division, Ms. Monthakarn Sriwilart (มณฑกาญจน์ ศริวิลาศ) revealed that the State Railway of Thailand Committee has arrived at a resolution to suspend Yala-Sughaigolok train operations effective today (April 15). The decision came after local trains were fired upon by gunmen in Rueso (รือเสาะ) and Lalo (ลาโละ) districts of Narathiwat province yesterday (April 14).
One railway employee and a local resident were injured by the incident. State Railway officials said that normal railway services will still allow the public to travel to the northern region from Yala province.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255004150008
Two sides of the same coin. Two different viewpoints from two different agencies:
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28956
Railway labour union urges army protection for SRT
NARATHIWAT, April 16 (TNA) - The chief of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union in Hat Yai on Monday submitted a letter urging the army to provide a better protection for trains operating in the deep South and to SRT workers.
Supichet Suwanchatri submitted the letter to Fourth Army Region commander Lt-Gen. Wiroch Buacharoon who is responsible for security in the South through the commander of Sena-narong army camp in Hat Yai district, requesting that the southern army to provide better protection following frequent insurgent attacks on trains operating in the restive region.
The letter cited the most recent incident which took place on Saturday when a train from Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat to Nakhon Si Thammarat was attacked by insurgents. A train engineer and a young girl were wounded after they were shot in their legs.
All 14 regularly scheduled passenger trains heading for Sungai Kolok district were temporarily suspended since Sunday.
Trains now stop at Yala station and passengers wishing to continue their journeys must travel by bus, truck or other means.
The letter said on average armed attacks on rail services in the southernmost provinces occurred weekly since renewed violence erupted three years ago January and there was a continuing need for army protection.
It said train services between Yala and Sungai Kolok could resume after the Fourth Army Region could guarantee safety.
Meanwhile, an army spokesman said Lt-Gen. Wiroch was negotiating with SRT officials with an aim to boost their morale and that an added 20 companies of paramilitary rangers would be dispatched to the deep South.
The army spokesman said the paramilitary rangers would jointly patrol railroad tracks with regular Army military patrols to ensure safety for both train crews and passengers. (TNA)-E111
Last Update : 2007-04-16 / 17:00:53 (GMT+7:00)
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255004160015&news_headline=Passengers
16 April 2007 Passengers remain confident in SRT despite train shooting
The State Railway of Thailand affirm that passengers remain confident in railway safety despite a recent incident where gunmen fired upon a passing train.
The Public Relations Divisional Chief of the State Railway of Thailand, Ms. Monthakarn Sriwirat (มณฑกาญจน์ ศรีวิลาศ), reported on progress made in the closure of the Yala-Sughaikolok (ยะลา-สุไหงโก-ลก) rail section following a shooting directed at a passing train on April 14, resulting in 1 injury to a passenger. Mrs. Monthakarn said there is no set date for the reopening of the rail line section, but railway officials are coordinating with local security forces in establishing security measures.
Ms. Monthakarn revealed that the passenger injured by the incident was a 5 year old girl, who was wounded in the leg. The Public Relations Divisional Chief said the State Railway would cover the full costs of the victim's medical treatment. The State Railway will also be refunding the ticket price of passengers left stranded in wake of the shooting.
Ms. Monthakarn added that railway statistics indicate that passengers remain confident in the State Railway of Thailand's safety.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter06
Southern trains suspended for 5 more days
Train services between Hat Yai district in this southern province and Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat bordering Malaysia will remain suspended for at least five more days.
All 14 regularly scheduled passenger trains heading for Sungai Kolok district remain suspended for the third consecutive day on Tuesday since they were halted indefinitely on Sunday, after a train headed from Sungai Kolok to Nakhon Si Thammarat province was ambushed by insurgents in which an engineer and a young girl were shot and wounded in the legs.
Trains now stop at Yala station and passengers wanting to continue their journey to Sungai Kolok must travel by bus, truck or other means.
Senior officials of the State Railway of Thailand on Tuesday were reported to have conferred with the Fourth Army Region over an increase in security measures for the railway workers, after the railway labour union in Hat Yai submitted a letter to the Fourth Army Region commander on Monday, urging the southern army better protect passengers and crews.
The fourth army commander was reported to have promised the army would come up with extra security measures for train services within five days.
Trains heading to Sungai Kolok are expected to resume no later than April 22 when the Fourth Army Region can guarantee safety.-(TNA)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=118153
Train service in deep South resumed
Yala - The train service from Yala Railway station to Sungai Kolok station were resumed Sunday after it was suspended last week.
The first train to use the route between Yala and Sungai Kolok stations ws the Surat Thani-Sungai Kolok train, which left Surat Thani at noon.
The service was suspended on April 14 after Muslim insurgents opened fire at a train between Laloh and Ruesoh stations in Narathiwat, injuring a train staff and two passengers.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30032400
Bangkok tickets fully booked as border trains head north again
NARATHIWAT, April 22 (TNA) - Advance bookings for rail tickets from Sungai Kolok district on the Malaysian border to Thailand's capital of Bangkok for Monday are fully subscribed after service -- suspended for a week due to armed attacks on passenger trains -- resumed Sunday, according to a station master.
The Sungai Kolok station master said that only third class seats for Monday’s train service from Sungai Kolok to Bangkok are now available while the first and second class seats are already fully booked.
Train service between Yala and Sungai Kolok was suspended last Sunday (April 15), one day after insurgents ambushed a train, wounding the engineer and a passenger.
Services resumed Sunday with one train operating between Surat Thani and Sungai Kolok being offered to the public. Full service starts Monday.
State Railway of Thailand employees in the region agreed to return to work following assurances from state security agencies such as the Internal Security Operations Command and the Fourth Army Region, responsible for security in the South, pledged to improve security for both SRT workers and passengers. (TNA) - E111
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=29050
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=14977&postcount=18
jpatokal
07-06-07, 09:15 AM
So I've been updating Wikitravel on southern Thailand recently, and just wanted to check -- is it correct that all attacks on trains/tracks to date have occurred on the eastern Had Yai-Sungai Kolok section? That is, the line north of Had Yai, or the Hat Yai-Padang Besar section that carries international through traffic to Malaysia, has not been affected. Any guesses on whether they will be targeted?
Wisarut
07-06-07, 09:35 AM
Well, ONLY seciton Hat Yai - Sugei Golok is under attacks ....
Wisarut
07-06-07, 01:59 PM
More on this attack can be seen here:
http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1347
08 June 2007 Normal Railway operations resume in restive south
Normal railway operations in the three southern border provinces have resumed.
The State Railway of Thailand reports that normal train operations in the restive south has been allowed to resume from Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) station in Songkhla province to the Sungai Kolok (สุไหงโก-ลก) station in Narathiwat province, following a period of repairs to local rail lines sabotaged by insurgents on June 4. The atmosphere at Sungai Kolok train station was relatively quiet today (June 8), with few passengers to be seen.
Train number 448 outbound from the station this morning (6:30) was delayed as military and police conducted an initial patrol of local areas to ensure security. Ground and airborne troops will continue to monitor high risk locations on land and in the air, with helicopter gunships having been deployed to follow trains operating on routes transversing Yala and Pattani provinces.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255006080013
Yala train service resumes after sabotaged rails
YALA, July 5 (TNA) - Thai State Railways workers have fixed sabotaged railway tracks after presumed insurgents removed more than 50 bolts from sleepers in Yala's Raman district early Thursday morning.
Without the bolts retaining the rails, the tracks spread under the weight of a passing locomotive, making the engine and carriages leave the tracks.
Train service resumed at 7.30 am.
Soldiers patrolling the rail line found that 56 bolts had been removed from a portion of the tracks between Yala and the Banmaikaen train station.
Train service was temporarily suspended while railway workers repaired the track.
Security teams patrol the railway tracks every morning before the first train leaves Yala station, according to railway official Chawana Chumnumpan. (TNA)-E004
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=30329
Insurgents kill railway officer in South
(BangkokPost.com) - Insurgents killed a railway officer in Narathiwat province on Friday afternoon.
The officer was shot while he was controlling signal at a station in Rueso District.
They also hid a 10-kilogramme bomb at a sentry box nearby in an attempt to harm security officials who were expected to inspect the scene. The bomb failed to detonate.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121259
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/04/p1news/images/30051275-01.jpg
[Photo: The Nation - Soldiers provide security along railways in Narathiwat's Rangae district on Wednesday. The district has been among red zones of the deep south provinces.//Charoon Thongnual]
One soldier wounded Ruso railway station bombing
NARATHIWAT, Oct 16 (TNA) - A bombing at a district train station seriously wounded a soldier in this strife-torn province on Tuesday.
An eight-soldier unit was on duty providing security at the Ruso district train station when the remote controlled bomb, hidden underground, exploded.
SM1 Banyai Suwannang, head of the team suffered shrapnel wounds in his head and torso. He was severely wounded and rushed to hospital.
The police believe the bomb is related to the southern unrest as this small train station was earlier targeted in four bombings. (TNA)-E004
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=32221
Track subsidence, due to heavy rainfall, has temporarily stopped rail traffic between Hat-Yai and Sungai Golok. TITV has just shown the Bangkok-Yala Express Railcar halted in Songkhla Province's Na Mom District, unable to go further because of track subsidence (or something similar).
Islamists kill four in attack on train
Southern insurgents on Saturday attacked a passenger train from Malaysia and killed three passengers and a railway employee.
Police said the gunmen ambushed the train after it entered Thailand from Sungai Kolok on its way to Yala.
The ambush left another five passengers wounded as the separatists fired automatic weapons randomly into the carriages.
Strange that this report didn't arrive until after 6 AM on SUNDAY. Also, I am not aware of any passenger train that passes over the border at Sungai Golok at present.
Was it some kind of special service?
Strange that this report didn't arrive until after 6 AM on SUNDAY. Also, I am not aware of any passenger train that passes over the border at Sungai Golok at present.
Was it some kind of special service?
It's also somewhat strange that I have yet to see any Nation reports on this attack. And we still don't know why online reports took so long to materialise? I think we can assume this was not a cross-border train.
Update: Southern trains halted after killings
The State Railway of Thailand suspended serviced on the Sungai Kolok-Yala line in the deep South indefinitely after rebels attacked a train on Saturday, killed four people and fired AK47s randomly through the carriages.
Railway officials said all 16 daily trains on the line were halted.
Six gunmen posed as passengers on a Sungai Kolok-Yala train on Saturday, and shot dead three railway workers and a policeman. Another official was seriously wounded and passengers were terrorised by the gunfire.
The Sungai Kolok train station in Narathiwat was quiet Sunday and passengers must go to Yala's train station to travel further north to Bangkok. Commuters going to Hat Yai must travel by bus or van.
Stationmaster Alawi Uma of Sungai Kolok station did not know when service would resume. Passengers holding advance tickets can exchange their tickets for a full refund. He added that it has already notified travellers, while soldiers and volunteers beefed up security at the station. (TNA)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=128428
Train victims bathed with holy water
Government officials gathered for the traditional bathing ceremony of the four victims gunned down YESTERDAY on a Narathiwat (นราธิวาส) train. Governor of Narathiwat (นราธิวาส) province presented each of the victims’ families with 500,000 baht in aid.
Aside from the shootings, the system of trains in the south has been hit by a number of difficulties. A 15-kilogram bomb was earlier placed on train tracks in Narathiwat (นราธิวาส) province.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255106220019
State Railway suspends operation after staff members gunned down
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has temporarily suspended its trains operating from Hat Yai station to Sugnai-Kolok station after 10 gunmen clad in military uniform gunned down 4 train station officials and passengers into death.
Passengers who witnessed the incident fled for their lives. They said they were left with no choice but to take buses which cost double of their transport fares.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255106220005
jpatokal
23-06-08, 01:37 PM
Strange that this report didn't arrive until after 6 AM on SUNDAY. Also, I am not aware of any passenger train that passes over the border at Sungai Golok at present.
Was it some kind of special service?
I suspect the reporter was just confused -- Sungai Golok sounds like a Malaysian town, but it's on the Thai side of the border. So it's presumably just the ordinary Sungai Golok-Yala service.
The first reports said that four civilians were killed, but now that's been amended to one policeman and three SRT staff. I'll be damned if I know what the insurgents are attempting to accomplish through this :confused: :mad:
Wisarut
23-06-08, 01:41 PM
I suspect the reporter was just confused -- Sungai Golok sounds like a Malaysian town, but it's on the Thai side of the border. So it's presumably just the ordinary Sungai Golok-Yala service.
The first reports said that four civilians were killed, but now that's been amended to one policeman and three SRT staff. I'll be damned if I know what the insurgents are attempting to accomplish through this :confused: :mad:
This is a deliberate plan to show that Railway is no longer safe from the attack ... after all those insurgents can take ANY trains to kill ANYBODY since the trains ... but they just pick up Railway Officers to force SRT to shut down the operation on Hat Yai - Golok line.
I suspect the reporter was just confused -- Sungai Golok sounds like a Malaysian town, but it's on the Thai side of the border. So it's presumably just the ordinary Sungai Golok-Yala service.
The first reports said that four civilians were killed, but now that's been amended to one policeman and three SRT staff. I'll be damned if I know what the insurgents are attempting to accomplish through this :confused: :mad:
South traveling trains halt to await security measures
Train routes from Had Yai station in Songkhla province traveling to Sungai kohlok (สุไหงโกลก) station in Narathiwat province both inbound and outbound totaling 22 trains have ceased operation since this morning following an attack that left 4 police slain. All train services from throughout the country now end at the Had Yai station.
Chairman of the workers union for the State Enterprise Railway Service in Had Yai Supichate Suwanchatree (สุพิเชฐ สุวรรณชาตรี) said that no estimates can yet be given as to when train services will continue as his union is awaiting reassurance for safety measures. He said that trains can only continue once security insures no repeat of the incident or danger to workers and citizens.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255106230005
Does this also mean services thru' Padang Besar are also on stop. I somehow doubt it!?
Wisarut
23-06-08, 02:11 PM
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255106230005
Does this also mean services thru' Padang Besar are also on stop. I somehow doubt it!?
Nope, the section form Hatyai to Padang Besar still opened as usual since this section is within Songkla, not in those 3 troublesome Southern provinces.
Now, SRT officers may need to go to Wang boorapha to find .357 Magnum or even Colt .45 (via black market since any pisto larger than 9mm diameter is the same status as AK47 and M-16 rifles) for themselves ... after having to see theri fellow officer killed in fornt of their eyes.
Train services in deep South remain suspended
The State Railway of Thailand will resume train services in the deep South only when safety measures are strengthened to minimise risks to officers and passengers, said Thanongsak Pongprasert, SRT director for the South.
He said Monday that it remained unclear when the train service would resume.
"We're not ready and there is no scheduled service resumption, pending measures from the national security agencies to restore the confidence of hundreds of officers who are serving the route," he said, adding there must be measures to minimise risks to officers and innocent travellers.
The SRT has asked for police and army patrols to inspect the entire train network in the three provinces, particularly the RuesorTanyongmas route.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30076260
SRT wants safety to be improved before resuming services in deep south
By THE NATION
Published on June 24, 2008
The State Railway of Thailand will resume train services in the deep South only when safety measures are strengthened to minimise risks to officers and passengers, said Thanongsak Pongprasert, SRT director for the South.
He said yesterday that it remained unclear when the train service would resume. "We're not ready and there is no scheduled service resumption, pending measures from the national security agencies to restore the confidence of hundreds of officers who are serving the route," he said, adding there must be measures to minimise risks to officers and innocent travellers.
The SRT has asked for police and army patrols to inspect the entire train network in the three provinces, particularly the Ruesor-Tanyong Mas route. Security volunteers will also be brought in to ensure safety on the Hat-Yai - Sungai Kolok route, which covers 27 stations. Officers from the central government currently oversee the route.
Thanongsak said local train services were the most vulnerable as statistics show they have been the main targets since 1994. "Insurgency attacks are not 100 per cent preventable and cooperation from local people is needed," he noted.
According to Narathiwat Traders Association president Somboon Chanvisut, the suspension of train services in the deep South has caused major damage to the local economy.
"Trains are the main transportation for local people. The closure is also causing problems for industries here that transport their products out of the provinces by train because of the cheap cost," he said.
The Hat-Yai - Sungai Kolok route has been suspended since Sunday after four SRT officers were killed on duty.
Somboon said students were also suffering from the suspension as they have to pay more on bus fares travelling to schools in Hat-Yai or Muang Songkhla. Some students were stranded yesterday due to the lack of buses.
He said authorities must pay close attention to this problem as a third party could use it to convince residents the central government was ignoring them.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/24/national/national_30076328.php
Court approves arrest warrants railway worker killers
NARATHIWAT, June 25 (TNA) – The Narathiwat Provincial Court has approved arrest warrants for four suspects in connection with killing three railway workers and a police officer aboard a train in Narathiwat in Saturday.
Pol.Col. Charn Wimonsri, Deputy Commander of the Narathiwat Provincial Police said police gathered evidence from closed circuit television cameras and questioned 30 witnesses before seeking the arrest warrants from the court.
The four suspects -- Harem Jenae, Duerapa Jeuma, Amrun Ming, and Asueming Samae -- are residents in Narathiwat's Rangae district. They are also suspected of involvement in other attacks in the district.
Plainclothes police tracked them from their relatives' houses but so far they have eluded the authorities.
Supichet Suwannachatri, chairman of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union in Hat Yai said the railways may introduce new special locomotives in the three southern border provinces for the safety of the railway workers.
He said that if there are strict security measures, which can restore the confidence of railway workers, train services can be resumed immediately.
Although the halted services causes inconvenience to many, he said the safety of passengers and railway workers must be a priority. (TNA)-E004
General News : Last Update : 16:58:16 25 June 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4923
SRT rail service in southern border area to resume Saturday
SONGKHLA, June 27 (TNA) - Train services in Thailand's restive deep south will resume Saturday after being suspended for almost one week since suspected insurgents killed three railway employees and a police officer aboard a passenger train last Saturday.
Following a three-hour meeting on Thursday, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and security authorities have decided to tighten security measures and to reopen railroad links this Saturday.
The meeting was chaired by Lt-Gen. Jiraphan Kasemsaansuk, commander of the joint civilian, police and military command which coordinates security in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat as well as four districts of Songkhla, to discuss arrangements for resumed railway service.
Train services to the southern border ceased June 22 when SRT workers and a police officer were attacked and killed abroad a moving train in Narathiwat province.
Speaking after the meeting, SRT's southern centre director Thanongsak Pongprasert said it was agreed that security teams will be reinforced and special attention will be paid to vulnerable spots, basically improving upon existing security practice.
Mr. Thanongsak said the SRT staff are satisfied with the security measures and will return to work as usual on Saturday. (TNA)
General News : Last Update : 09:43:03 27 June 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4954
Wisarut
28-06-08, 12:30 PM
Yes, service from Hat Yai to Yala is resumed ... yet the local trains from Yala to Sugei Golok are NOT resumed yet! :(
http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9510000076045
Read the last post too. I guess the truth lies somewhere between Khun Wisaruth's source and what is said in the articles below - something along the lines of, not every single train is running just yet! 3 Articles. Actually, the last article says full service tomorrow:
Rail service in southern border area resumes amid tight security
HAT YAI, June 28 (TNA) -- Train services in Thailand's restive deep South resumed early Saturday, six days after being suspended after apparent insurgents, who passed themselves off as ordinary passengers, revealed automatic weapons and sprayed the interior of a moving railway coach with gunfire, killing three railway workers and a police officer.
Saturday's first train to the far south, packed with passengers, left Bangkok Friday for Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat province on the Malaysian border amid tight security provided by military personnel, railway police and volunteers.
Security was also tightened at all southern railway stations.
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) southern center director Thanongsak Pongprasert said only 80 per cent of all train services bound for the deep South would be provided to commuters because some trains were still parked in railyards in Yala province and Sungai Kolok at the time when the incident occurred.
Mr. Thanongsak said he expected full services in the area will resume Sunday and that tightened security would help stop sabotage from taking place on the railways.
Train service to the southern border ceased a week ago on June 22 when the SRT workers and a police officer were attacked and killed abroad a moving train in Narathiwat province.
SRT staff returned to work on Saturday after saying they were satisfied with the security measures. (TNA)-E111
General News : Last Update : 14:04:40 28 June 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4973
Tiz' amazing how many times I have seen the spelling Sugnai kolok. :rolleyes:
Many passengers wait for train from Yala to Sugnai Kolok
Yala - The first day after southern train services were resumed Saturday saw many passengers waiting to catch train from the Yala provincial station to Sugnai Kolok in Narathiwat.
The train services in the deep South were suspended for six days after four officials were massacred on a train.
The firs train that resumed the service was the Bangkok-Sungai Kolok trained that arrived at the Yala station at 9:20 am.
Ahminoh Saleh, a passenger, said she was happy that the services were resumed because she needed to travel to Sungai Kolok everyday.
During the service suspension, she needed to use van service which was very expensive
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30076772
Trains in deep South resumes
Trains on the three southern border provinces resume operation today amid tight security after they have stopped operating due to a shooting on the Sungai Kolok – Yala train June 21st this year.
The Director of the Information Division of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, Col.Akara Thiprote (อัคร ทิพโรจน์), says people in the three provinces are happy that the trains resume and thank the authority for providing security. The director says more security officers will be dispatched to violence-prone areas along the train routes.
Meanwhile, the Executive of the State Railway of Thailand Southern Region, Mr. Thanongsak Phongprasert (ทนงศักดิ์ พงษ์ประเสริฐ), says all 22 trains in the three Southern border provinces will provide full services to passengers tomorrow.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255106280011
Wisarut
21-09-08, 01:56 PM
Despite of the ongoign insurgency - Railway on the 3 troublesome provinces to to be kept running
The trip from Yala to Suge Golok by local train is really cheap - 22 Baht (2.2 RM) on 3rd class - compared with 140 Baht (14 RM) for the van from Yaa to Sugei Golok.
http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/711/711/images/yalanara038.jpg
GEA 4551 for Phatthalung - Sugei Golok local train
http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/711/711/images/yalanara040.jpg
Muslimmin in Hijab - Yala station
Inside the 3rd Class
http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/711/711/images/yalanara07.jpg
Our Hero - MIB (Taharn Phran)
http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/711/711/images/yalanara08.jpg
GT200 Bomb detector applied here:
http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/711/711/images/yalanara020.jpg
Even the Halt require MIB (Thaharn Phran) stationing
http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/711/711/images/yalanara019.jpg
http://www.oknation.net/blog/singslatan/2008/06/29/entry-1
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