Opposition Pushes for Railway Transport Act Draft by Mr. Surachet in Parliamentary Vote.

Bangkok: The opposition party has called upon the parliament to cast a vote on the Railway Transport Act draft presented by "Mr. Surachet." This draft is emphasized as being thoroughly studied by Members of Parliament, in contrast to the Pheu Thai Party's version, which is criticized for favoring private concession holders. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pakornwut Udompipatsakul, an MP from the Prachachon Party and Chief Whip of the Opposition, addressed the House of Representatives regarding the scheduled consideration of the Rail Transport Act draft on the final day of the session, October 30. He highlighted that a decision would be made to determine the main draft for committee-level examination, with current indications suggesting that coalition parties might endorse the Cabinet's draft. Mr. Pakornwut expressed concerns over the Pheu Thai Party's draft, noting that it proposed significant content changes that could benefit private companies holding state concessions. These changes include reducing p assenger protection, limiting state oversight over concessionaires, and potentially allowing private ownership of essential state infrastructure like rail tracks. Pakornwut questioned the origins of the Pheu Thai draft and its motives, criticizing its potential impact on public and state interests. He advocated for the draft proposed by Mr. Surachet Pawinwongwut, which had undergone previous scrutiny and amendments by the House committee, arguing that its adoption could expedite legislative processes due to its prior discussions, unlike the Cabinet's draft linked to General Prayut Chan-o-cha's government. Furthermore, Mr. Pakornwut urged the Pheu Thai Party to clarify their draft's origins and the advice influencing its content alterations. He mentioned that the Department of Rail Transport had provided a comparative analysis of the three drafts, highlighting discrepancies and pointing out the unusual nature of some proposed changes.