Thailand to boost railway security for southern line

BANGKOK, March 29 (TNA) - The State Railway of Thailand announces a boost in railway security measures for its southern line, with cooperation from the army and police, in order to maintain confidence among travellers and operating staff. State Railway Governor Wutthichart Kanlayanamit made the announcement as he underscored the risks facing local staff working across 27 stations in the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat plus four districts in nearby Songkhla province. Wutthichart said there were plans to also increase the extra daily allowance given to station officials in the troubled areas, and hinted that more closed circuit surveillance systems may be installed in the future. On Thursday night’s train crash incident in the central province of Ayutthaya, which left up to 50 people injured, he said inquiries were underway, and its outcome would be examined to prevent similar cases in the future. No arrests have been made. But damage from the crash was initially estimated at over 80 million baht. (TNA)