(KPL/VNA) Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit has instructed all relevant agencies to prepare for a surge of travellers during the upcoming Songkran Festival.

Suriya said that 16.32 million personal vehicles are estimated to traverse Bangkok over the festival next month, with 7.01 million using highways and motorways and 9.31 million using expressways. Around 15.84 million people are tipped to use public transport, including buses, trains, boats and airplanes.

To address the high travel demand from April 11-17, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has been instructed to work with Suvarnabhumi airport and Don Mueang airport and coordinate with six airlines – Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet – to curb the issue of overpriced tickets.

Suriya added that 124 domestic flights with 25,000 more seats will be additionally offered during the period. Airfares from Bangkok to 11 popular domestic routes were also reduced by 30% if purchased before March 20.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand is preparing to accommodate 758,024 passengers over the same period. It will operate 26 extra train services on five routes, from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Sila At and Yala.

Thailand’s Department of Land Transport expects 120,000 passengers a day on average to be using interprovincial bus services. The Transport Company expects to run 5,000 trips daily, peaking on April 11, and seeing around 130,000 passengers.

Toll fees will be waived on some expressways and motorways to help motorists out.

KPL