Travellers chuffed as train strike ends

Many residents of Chiang Mai and those passing through the capital will have breathed a sigh of relief as it was announced on Tuesday that the trains would start running again.

The State Railway of Thailand labour union announced the end of their two day nationwide strike, during which trains throughout Thailand had been at a complete standstill. The decision to return to work was announced after members of the State Railway of Thailand labour union met with a number of cabinet ministers in a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart.

As a result of the talks, which lasted for about one hour, it was agreed that the SRT labour union will be permitted to take part in a review of the entire restructuring plan along with the SRT board. It had been feared that the government were planning to privatise the state railway, but these rumours have been strongly denied.

''Don't worry. There will be no privatisation,'' Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post. ''The rehabilitation plan is aimed at reducing debt."