SONGKHLA: Railway staff have been praised for making an extra effort in helping an elderly passenger get off the train in an unconventional way.
Leng Hiang, 82, never expected this kind of service from the State Railway of Thailand when she and her daughter rode an express train from Hat Yai station in Songkhla to Ban Pong station in Ratchaburi on Monday to attend a funeral.
A member of the train creew, identified as Yakareeya Manu, carries 82-year-old Leng Hiang from the train to a platform at Ban Pong station in Ratchaburi on Monday. (Photo from Pimchanok Praisuwan Facebook account)
The train left Hat Yai at 6.45pm on Sunday and arrived at Ban Pong one-hour late at 9.43am the next day.
There was no platform passengers could descend to from the sleeping car in which Ms Leng and her daughter, Pimchanok Praisuwan, travelled in when the train came to a stop on the second track at the station.
Undeterred, a staff member aboard their carriage carried her across the other track and up on to the main platform, while his colleague carried her bag.
His colleague carries the elderly passenger's bag. (Photo from Pimchanok Praisuwan Facebook account).
"I really appreciate his help. I would like to thank the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) for taking good care of passengers," Ms Leng said on Thursday after arriving at Hat Yai station on her return trip.
The good samaritan was later identified as Yakareeya Manu, 34, a native of Cho Airong district of Narathiwat, according to Thai Rath Online.
"I am happy to help you grandma. I wish you good health," Thai Rath Online quoted him as saying.
Mr Yakareeya started working for the railways as a security officer at Hua Lamphong in 2008 and worked his way up to becoming part of the sleeping car staff in 2012.
The express train Leng Hiang rode on Monday did not stop at the main platform of the station. (Photo from Pimchanok Praisuwan Facebook account).
