Bangkok's Airport Rail Link breaks down for failed

BANGKOK, March 21 (TNA) - Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link broke down on Monday morning due to a disruption of its power supply system, leaving a number of commuters stranded, some of them passed out. The incident was reported at 7:50am due to the disruption of power supply from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), while the electric railway's backup power system has also been out of order and has not yet been replaced. When the incident happened, an Airport Rail Link train, carrying 745 passengers and heading for Phaya Thai area, suddenly stopped between the Hua Mak and the Ramkhamhaeng Stations, but Airport Rail Link staff could not operate two substitute trains toward the stopped train because affected passengers exited it and were walking on the tracks. Many passengers reportedly fainted on the elevated railway due to the very warm weather, while rescue workers gave them first aid and seven of them were sent to hospital. General Daran Yutthawongsuk, President of SRT Electric Train Co, the operator of Airport Rail Link, told journalists that staff had done their best to cope with the situation, explaining that nine trains have been procured for the Airport Rail Link, but three of them are being repaired and the management plans to buy new trains. Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said that the board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), which oversees Airport Rail Link, will consider a plan to buy a new backup power system for the Airport Rail Link on March 29 and he has ordered SRT to improve its emergency response plan and to evacuate passengers faster. (TNA)