In preparation for the upcoming Songkran festival, Thailand’s Transport Ministry has directed six domestic airlines to reduce fares by 30% and add 124 additional flights between April 11 and 17. The move aims to ease travel for holidaymakers while ensuring airfares remain affordable during the peak travel period.
The extra flights will provide 25,000 additional seats on routes from Bangkok to several major destinations, including Chiang Mai, Krabi, Samui, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Phuket, Khon Kaen, Hat Yai, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Travelers can book tickets in advance from March 11 to 20 through airline ticket counters, websites, and call centers of Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Viet Jet.
Beyond air travel, the State Railway of Thailand will introduce 26 additional trains on routes connecting Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Yala. The state-run Transport Company will also deploy 1,000 extra buses to accommodate an estimated 100,000 additional passengers traveling to their home provinces.
To further facilitate travel, the M6 motorway from Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima and the M81 from Bang Yai to Kanchanaburi will be opened for trial use during the festival. Additionally, toll fees will be waived for passenger cars on five expressways.
In an effort to enhance passenger safety, regulations will be enforced for long-distance bus travel. All buses covering distances over 400 kilometers must have two drivers alternating in shifts. If only one driver is available, a mandatory rest stop of at least 30 minutes every four hours will be required.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit emphasized that Airports of Thailand, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and other relevant agencies have been instructed to ensure smooth travel and prevent passengers from being stranded at airports.
