Cargo train X-ray first introduced in Thailand, SEA

CHON BURI, THAILAND, December 30 (TNA) - The Customs Department and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have jointly launched a cargo train X-ray facility in seaside Chon Buri Province in the Thai East, making Thailand to be the first Southeast Asian country to apply the machine. Customs Department Director-General Kulit Sombatsiri and SRT Governor Wuthichart Kalyanamitra jointly launched the first cargo train that underwent the X-ray tunnel in Thailand and in Southeast Asia on December 30. The facility is aimed at supporting national logistics and growing international trade. Kulit told journalists that the X-ray system is modern and efficient and meets international standard. Kulit said the World Customs Organization (WCO) has encouraged worldwide customs agencies to use such the cargo X-ray facility. According to the Customs Department chief, the newly-introduced train X-ray terminal will help relieve traffic congestion and pollution from road transport, which consumes considerable energy and have negative environmental and social impacts. At present, the ratio of land transport to railway transport in Thailand is 9:1 and the Thai government has a policy to, thus, promote more rail transport. (TNA)