Bangkok: The Railway Workers' Union has submitted a request to the Prime Minister to expedite the hiring of additional employees, citing the impact on train operations. The union has expressed concerns over the ongoing personnel shortage affecting the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

According to Thai News Agency, representatives from the State Railway of Thailand Employees' Union (SRT Union), led by its president, Mr. Sarawut Saranwong, have officially approached the Prime Minister with a letter. The letter emphasizes the urgent need for action to resolve the staffing issues at SRT. The union is advocating for a swift approval process for hiring new employees and a review of the 1998 Cabinet resolution, which limits new hires to 5 percent of the retiring workforce each year. This resolution has been identified as a key factor contributing to the personnel shortage.

The SRT union group has urged the government to reconsider this resolution, as it negatively impacts operational efficiency and public service. The union argues that the current limitations hinder the SRT's ability to operate effectively and meet public demand. The letter was handed over to Mr. Somphat Nilphan, an advisor to the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office. Mr. Nilphan has committed to forwarding the letter to the Prime Minister and coordinating with relevant agencies to address the union's concerns.