Passengers are finally able to leave the stranded train at about 9:25am after being locked inside for more than one hour. Photo via twitter (@js100radio)

A power outage of both the primary and a 5-year-old back system at one station disrupted the Airport Rail Link this morning, locking unlucky passengers in a train for about an hour.

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Evening update

Thai PBS reports this evening that the Airport Rail Link system was forced to temporarily shut down service when the primary electrical system abruptly shut down and an ageing back-up system failed to operate. This caused a train between the Ramkhamhaeng and Hua Mark stations to stop. After about a half hour anxious and very hot passengers opened emergency doors, left the train and began walking to the Ramkhamhaeng station, which meant that electricity could not be restored until they safely arrived at the station

Rail Link officials admitted that the backup system had been in use since the beginning of service five years ago and that it is no longer fully functional. Replacements will be sought for the whole system. Experts have criticised the officials for not having a workable contingency plan in place.

Update: 11:23

The Airport Rail Link has just reported via twitter that normal service has been restored.

Update 15:00

Airport Rail Link acting manager Gen Daran Yuthawongsuk said the problem was caused by a drop in the power voltage at Ramkhamhaeng station.



He confirmed an electric train had been dispatched to haul the train stalled between Ramkhamhaeng and Hua Mark stations away from the trouble spot.

Power outage shuts Airport Link, locking passengers in train



Radio station Jor Sor 100 reports this morning that there was a power outage on the Airport Rail Link which stopped service and locked unlucky passengers in a train for about an hour.



The power failure occurred at Ramkhamhaeng station bringing the train to a halt between the Ramkhamhaeng and Hua Mark stations, reports said.



The reports said the power cut off about 8.15am, stranding many passengers on the train without air-conditioning on a hot morning for about an hour.



A preliminary report from FM91 traffic radio says that six passengers passed out.

Passengers complained of a diminished air supply and some were visibly weak and six had fainted aboard the train. Photo via twitter from JS100 volunteer news team.

At 9.24am, it was reported on Jor Sor 100's Facebook page that passengers had begun to get off the train after being stuck inside for an hour.



The passengers reportedly complained they had not been told what had happened or why they were stranded.



The company sent an empty train to pick them up.



As of 11:00am, service was still disrupted.

Story includes information from our online reporters