Passenger trains to take freight

       The debt-ridden State Railway of Thailand plans to use its passenger trains to transport goods from the upper South in a bid to increase revenue.
       The scheme, which was raised at a meeting of the logistics development committee chaired by permanent secretary for transport Surachai Tharnsithipong, calls for passenger trains to carry freight on separate goods cars.
       The upper South has been targeted because it is an important source of farm produce. Goods would be transported initially between Tha Ma Mao station in Prachuap Khiri Khan and the goods packaging and transporting station in Lat Krabang in suburban Bangkok.
       The SRT favours this method because it does not have enough locomotives.Making better use of its passenger trains seemed a good solution, said Jura Sukamanop, deputy director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning."The method would somewhat affect our service," he admitted.
       However, he said, the SRT would develop its goods unit to handle the job once all resources were ready. It plans to increase its service efficiency by repairing old locomotives and renting new equipment from Malaysia.
       To complete the goods service facility the SRT plans to develop container yards,which would be located 50 to 70 kilometres from factories, Mr Jura said.
       The government would finance the construction while private companies would be invited to invest in resources such as lifting equipment.