Train tunnel closed for 14 days after being used for a day

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has ordered a two week closure of the 5.2km Pha Sadet tunnel, due to dust problems after being used for just a day on Sunday.

Many passengers could be seen covering their noses and mouths with their hands or napkins in a picture posted on social media yesterday.

Ekkarat Sriarayayanpong, chief of the SRT governor’s office, said today that Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote has ordered the SRT to address the dust issue immediately.

He said SRT inspectors have visited the tunnel and found out that the interior is covered with a thick layer of dust from the construction and, when wind funnels through the tunnel, the dust is disturbed and becomes airborne.

He also said that the SRT has already coordinated with the contractor responsible for cleaning the tunnel before its official opening yesterday, demanding that they deal with the problem within 14 days. The tunnel is due to reopen on August 12th.

While the tunnel remains closed, the SRT has diverted trains back onto the old route, from Map Kabao through Pha Sadet, Hin Lab to Muak Lek, covering a distance of 18km.

The Pha Sadet tunnel is the longest train tunnel in Thailand which, when open, shortens the travel time from Map Kabao to Muak Lek by 15 minutes. The train service from the two stations is a dual-track.