The "Railway Union" opposes the cancellation plan! They demonstrate against social service trains, pointing out impacts on users and the reduction of the state's mission across all four routes.
Today, 19 March 2025 GMT+7, the State Railway Labor Union of Thailand posted on their Facebook page about submitting a letter opposing the cancellation and adjustment of train routes serving the public as follows.
The State Railway Labor Union of Thailand (สร.รฟท.) submitted a letter to the Director of Passenger Services requesting a review of the plan to cancel and adjust social service trains after finding it could broadly affect the public.
According to meeting information, there was a proposal to set a plan to adjust train operations.
Cancel 8 trains, permanently ending their service.
Adjust schedules for 16 trains; changed times may not align with people's lifestyles.
Reduce trips for 6 trains; fewer trains mean longer waits.
Shorten routes for 10 trains; passengers will have to transfer, making travel more difficult.
The plan covers all four main train routes of the State Railway of Thailand, aiming to cut costs and solve financial losses.
สร.รฟท. believes this approach may affect low-income people, students, and regular users, and also diminishes the state's role in public service provision.
The union emphasizes that social service trains are vital infrastructure that the public must access equally and should not be considered only from a financial perspective.
สร.รฟท. calls for a plan review centered on the public, proposing service development to ensure fair access and maintain the state's role in overseeing public transportation systems.