I was interested to read that the SRT (State Railway of Thailand) has never made a profit since its inception in 1951, that's 58 years!  Its debts now stand at 69 billion.  The government have recently restructured the SRT, splitting it into separate cost/profit centres, and there is talk that the operator of the Jatujak Weekend Market will face a steep rent increase for the SRT land on which the market stands.

69 billion baht in accumulated losses.  That's not even 10% more than the government are keen to spend in one splash on new buses for Bangkok alone!  And the SRT network covers almost the whole country and services almost the entire Thai population.

And now the SRT are pinning their hopes on a rejuvenation of fortune from the imminent Airport Rail Link.  Curious.  One rail link within Greater Bangkok will be so profitable as to spring the organisation out of the red?

Last time I (foolishly) visited that 70s/80s paradise island of Koh Samui, I went by train.  It was a great journey, through some beautiful scenery.  But I was struck at how much of the distance was only single track.  And every so often, there were pieces of dual track where the train ground to a standstill so the northbound express could go past.  Sometimes we waited 15-30 minutes.  At other times, we sped past a northbound train which was waiting in a bit of dual track for us to pass.  I think the same was true on the lines up to Chiang Mai and Nong Khai, but I'm not sure.

If the pieces of dual track were joined together, and there certainly is room alongside most of the single track stretches, the trains would not have to stop in either direction, except of course at stations.  Which means there could be more trains.  Which moves more people, buying more tickets.  And IF the trains could go in both directions at once without worry, there could be more trains at the same time, and even more tickets sold.  As petrol prices rise, this could pay handsomely for more passengers, and also, more competitively priced freight.

The Sprinter train I travelled on served complimentary food twice, but the ticket was cheaper than an ordinary train which takes longer.  Ordinary trains have kitchen carriages which are full of people drinking Mekhong and Soda sets.  Food is delivered by staff, but dishes can be as little as 35 baht.  So why is it free on cheaper fast trains?

Deputy PM Suthep is from Surat, but probably flies.  He liked the idea of new buses for Bangkok.  How about dual tracks for the railways?  Extra 3rd class aircon carriages so people can still travel cheap, and increased prices for 2nd and 1st class, with more 1st Class coaches.  There would be minimal fare rise impact on passengers, as the trains would be faster and more frequent.  Refurbish the kitchen carriages and make them canteen style.  Sell food like they're giving away on the Sprinter as well as kitchen prepared dishes.  Less staff walking up and down serving, leave that for the hawkers at various stations.

Hasn't anyone ever thought of this?  They must have!  It would not be that large an investment.  Newin wants to get Bangkok's votes by buying 4000 buses;  the Democrats could get the country's votes by buying dual tracks and revamping the SRT!