Learn to walk before you run
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I don't wish to sound facetious, but on viewing the spectacle of yet another SRT train lying on its side, an almost weekly occurrence it seems, I feel I should raise a question about investment priorities. We are told Bt2 trillion is to be spent on major
China, which has far more experience in fast public transport than Thailand, what with its mass transit lines, maglevs and comprehensive network of inter-city expresses, commenced a rapid programme of high-speed train development in 2007 with a disastrous outcome. Recall that in July 2011 two high-speed trains collided, killing 45 people and injuring a further 192 amid allegations of design failure, management failure and corruption.
With similar concerns very much to the fore in Thailand, would it not be better if at least some of that Bt2 trillion was first spent on rendering the existing rail network fit for its purpose? I have in mind a pilot scheme in which an SRT train is made to run along a straight section of track at 40 kilometres per hour – without falling over. If successful, and if Thailand moves in more cautious steps towards its high-speed goal, the travelling public might regard the rail plans with less trepidation.
Nigel Pike
Phang Nga
