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State Railway Union Opposes Social Train Cuts

State Railway Union Opposes Social Train Cuts

Matichon•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The State Railway of Thailand Labour Union is strongly opposing proposed cuts to social train services, advocating for their preservation as a public utility serving all citizens.

  • •The State Railway of Thailand Labour Union (SRTLU) has issued a statement opposing the reduction or cancellation of social train services.
  • •The union emphasizes that these trains are essential public services, originating from King Rama V's vision, and offer affordable and safe travel for vulnerable populations.
  • •SRTLU argues that the efficiency of social trains should be measured by social benefit and impact on citizens' lives, not commercial profit, and calls for improvements rather than cuts.

Overview

  • •On May 28, the State Railway of Thailand Labour Union issued a statement to reiterate its stance.
  • •There were concerns on social media regarding the cancellation and reduction of social train services, causing public anxiety.
  • •The State Railway of Thailand clarified on June 1, 2026, that no services would be canceled or reduced, and a study was underway.
  • •The SRTLU has been consistently opposing plans to cancel 34 social service trains and reduce 16 others under the 2023-2027 corporate plan aimed at reducing losses.
  • •The SRTLU formally requested a review of the cancellation and modification plan for social service trains in a letter dated March 19, 2026.
  • •The SRTLU requests that all sectors remember and follow the royal intention of King Chulalongkorn, who established railways as a primary public utility for all people.
  • •The SRTLU maintains that the value of social trains should be measured by 'Social Benefit' and people's life opportunities, not commercial profit or loss, as railways are non-profit public services.
  • •The SRTLU calls for a review and suspension of plans to cancel or reduce social service trains, suggesting improvements to schedules, transport connections, and service quality instead.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

State Railway of Thailand Labour Union
"The SRTLU reiterates that all sectors should remember and follow the royal intention of King Chulalongkorn, the father of Thai railways, who established this as a primary public utility to equally serve all levels of people."
สร.รฟท. ขอตอกย้ำให้ทุกภาคส่วนระลึกถึงและน้อมนำพระราชปณิธานของพระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว รัชกาลที่ ๕ พระบิดาผู้ทรงสถาปนากิจการรถไฟไทย พระองค์ทรงจัดตั้งกิจการนี้ขึ้นเพื่อเป็นสาธารณูปโภคหลักในการบริการประชาชนทุกระดับชั้นอย่างเท่าเทียมกัน
State Railway of Thailand Labour Union
"The value of social service trains must be measured by 'Social Benefit' and people's life opportunities, not commercial profit or loss."
ความคุ้มค่าของรถไฟบริการเชิงสังคมต้องวัดจาก “ประโยชน์ทางสังคม” (Social Beneft) และโอกาสในการดำรงชีวิตของประชาชน ไม่ใช่วัดจากผลกำไร-ขาดทุนเชิงพาณิชย์
State Railway of Thailand Labour Union
"The profit of Thai railways is not money, but the well-being of the people."
กำไรของรถไฟไทย ไม่ใช่ตัวเงิน แต่คือความผาสุกของประชาชน

Key Entities

Organization

State Railway of Thailand Labour Union(สหภาพแรงงานรัฐวิสาหกิจรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย)
A labor union representing employees of the State Railway of Thailand, advocating for public service aspects of railway operations.
State Railway of Thailand(การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️
The national railway operator of Thailand, involved in decisions regarding service provision and operational plans.
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)(สหพันธ์แรงงานขนส่งระหว่างประเทศ)ℹ️
An international labor federation with which the State Railway of Thailand Labour Union is affiliated, influencing global transport development perspectives.
Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️
The government ministry responsible for overseeing transportation infrastructure and policy in Thailand, addressed by the union's statement.

Person

King Chulalongkorn (Rama V)(พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว รัชกาลที่ ๕)ℹ️
The historical figure credited as the father of the Thai railway system, whose vision of public service is invoked by the union.

Law

State Enterprise Labour Relations Act, B.E. 2000 (2000)(พระราชบัญญัติแรงงานรัฐวิสาหกิจสัมพันธ์ พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๓)
The legal framework governing labor relations in state enterprises in Thailand, cited for the union's objectives.
State Railway of Thailand Act, B.E. 1951 (1951)(พระราชบัญญัติการรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย พ.ศ. 1951)
The foundational law of the State Railway of Thailand, outlining its purpose and operational mandate concerning public benefit and safety.