Narathiwat train services rescheduled after track damaged by blast

Officials of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts continued inspecting railway tracks in Narathiwat province today for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by insurgents amid a wave of disruption that began on Saturday in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani provinces.

During an inspection of the tracks about one kilometre from Maruebo Station in Ra-ngae district of Narathiwat yesterday, officials found sections of the track and concrete sleepers heavily damaged by an explosion powerful enough to topple two utility poles about 50 metres away.

Following the discovery, the SRT immediately ordered the suspension of train services between Maruebo and Tanyong Mat stations until the damaged tracks can be repaired over the next two days.

The SRT also adjusted several other train services. Train 452, travelling from Su-ngai Kolok to Nakhon Si Thammarat, will stop at Tanyong Mat Station and return to Su-ngai Kolok. Train 463, travelling from Phatthalung to Su-ngai Kolok, will stop at Yala Station and return to Phatthalung. Train 451, travelling from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Su-ngai Kolok, will stop at Yala Station and return to Nakhon Si Thammarat.

A number of passengers showed up at Tanyong Mat Station today to return their tickets and postpone their journeys after hearing about the schedule changes and cancellations. A similar scene was reported at Su-ngai Kolok Station.

Meanwhile, security officials said today that EOD teams had so far completed searches in Ba Cho, Si Sakhon and Muang districts, as well as parts of Ra-ngae district in Narathiwat.

Eight more districts remain to be searched for IEDs.

So far, one suspect allegedly linked to the wave of bomb and arson attacks on Saturday night has been arrested in Narathiwat. Police said the suspect was seen smashing a CCTV camera installed on a utility pole in Cho Ai Rong district.