Train services in Thailand’s deep South remain suspended

BANGKOK, September 14 (TNA) - Train services to deep southern Thailand remain suspended for the third day on Sunday as railway workers continued to repair a section of the rail track, which had been damaged following a bombing attack by southern insurgents. Officials said passenger train services still could travel as far as Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat province after the track in Tanyongmas railway station was damaged by the attack on Friday. The general atmosphere at Hat Yai Railway Junction in the past two days was quiet as the number of train passengers declined by more than half because of the temporary disruption. Many travellers had switched to using buses. Railway officials at Hat Yai Railway Junction said full services were expected to resume Monday, depending on security measures provided to train services in the area too. Meanwhile, security measures in Hat Yai, considered as shopping paradise in the deep South had been increased, especially around major business centres in the district, following frequent rebel attacks in the past few months. Reinforcements of volunteers and government forces were also boosted and security in the district conducted round-the-clock. Officials said security in Hat Yai was also increased due to the annual vegetarian festival, starting from September 22 to October 2, as many foreign tourists, especially from Malaysia and Singapore, were expected to arrive. (TNA)