Trains to Thai Muslim South Halted After Sabotage

June 4, 2007

Author: Sukree Sukplang

Source: Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSBKK294647._CH_.2400

PATTANI, Thailand, Jun 4 (Reuters) - Thailand's state railway halted all train services in the rebellious Muslim far south on Monday after a derailment, probably caused by insurgents, injured 14 passengers and crew, a senior rail official said.

Suspected Muslim militants hit five tracks, removing nuts and bolts pinning the rails and loosening the connections between carriages, causing the derailment of one train, Tanongsak Pongprasert told Reuters by telephone.

"We have had to suspend all 18 train services from and to Hat Yai today as we have to check the damage to the tracks and take the derailed train out of the way after the sabotage," Tanongsak said.

The train was heading from Yala, one of three far southern provinces which have been the focus of the latest insurgency in the region which erupted in January 2004, to Hat Yai, the commercial centre of the south.