WHO'S TO TAKE BLAME FOR TRAIN ACCIDENT?

       The transport minister and SRT governor |share moral responsibility The recent derailment of the Trang-Bangkok train in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Khao Tao station (about 20km south of Hua Hin), which left eight people dead and more than 80 injured, is yet another case, among the many, of the poor service standards of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
       At this stage, all fingers point to the driver Roengsak Panthep. He allegedly jumped the signal and dozed off minutes before the accident.
       It is believed the driver had been unwell and taken some medicine before the train went off the rails. Transport Minister Sophon Saram has promised to reveal the result of the investigation by his committee tomorrow.
       Eagerly awaiting the result of the probe, the public cannot help but wonder, why is it that we still haven't heard of any offer to resign by either the transport minister or SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen?
       There was sufficient reason for both to have taken moral responsibility earlier for what was one of the most serious accidents in the history of the SRT.
       Clearly both of them have not read recent news reports about some of the good examples set elsewhere by railway chiefs and transport ministers, who resigned to take responsibility for a major railway accident. They did it of their own will, too.
       In July, Croatia's Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development Minister Bozidar Kalmeta resigned after a train accident killed six and injured at least 50. That same month, the managing director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) promptly resigned from his post to take moral responsibility after the collapse of an under-construction bridge that killed five people in the Indian capital.
       So far the minister and the governor have only expressed their sorrow and regret for what happened. If the results of the investigation point to human error, the top-ranking officials should still resign from their posts as it is clear that they failed to ensure the safety of hundreds of lives who travelled on that doomed train.
       The SRT's ageing fleet has been legendary.
       Most of its 256 locomotives are very old, ranging in age from 13 to 45 years. Given the current demand for railway travel, the SRT would ideally need at least 155 locomotives per day in service. In reality, it is already struggling with 137.
       Meanwhile, its first class air-con passenger carriages are on average 12 years old, the second-class AC cars, 23-34 years old, and the third-class cars, 27-94 years old. In fact, some of the trains will be a hundred years old very soon.
       As for the railroads, only 24 per cent of the network is in a very good condition, 38.6 are deemed in good condition and 28.5 per cent are usable.
       What's more, there are 2,449 railway crossings around the country, and 1,009 of which still do not have safety barriers.
       Whether or not the SRT is understaffed or overloaded with incompetent staff is debatable. The SRT has 2,200 drivers who handle 200 trains and 2,000 engineers. As it turns out, the SRT's labour union has complained that the present workforce is not sufficient. It is estimated that the SRT needs 300 more drivers and 500 additional engineers.
       As a result, most drivers have to subject themselves to double shifts. Worse, the SRT has been forced by a Cabinet resolution on July 28, 1998 to replace only 5 per cent of staff who retire or resign.
       There is an endless stream of complaints from train travellers. Toilets on the second-class AC and third-class carriages are dirty and stinking.
       Ageing locomotives can still be seen belching black plumes of smoke. Trains hardly run on time during rush hours.
       All this adds up to some shocking statistics.
       Last year, there were 143 cases of derailment, resulting in five people dead and 17 injured, compared to 111 cases, 71 injured and six dead a year earlier. There is every chance of a similar accident happening again.
       All the SRT needs is a complete overhaul. Incompetent staff, no matter who they are, should not be kept on, and old fleet should be replaced with new ones. Above all, concerned parties should consider taking moral responsibility for things gone wrong in their organisation. As it turns out, it's the low-ranking officers who are fired. It's time for a top-down reform at the SRT.