PATTAYA, THAILAND – Thailand’s Transport Ministry launched nationwide Songkran measures to make holiday travel safer and smoother, combining free tolls, extra services and tighter traffic management to cut crashes and casualties on major routes.
10-day plan for Songkran travel surge
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn instructed all responsible agencies to coordinate their actions from 10 to 19 April. The period covered a ten-day core travel phase in which large numbers of people traditionally moved between provinces.
Authorities said their concrete safety objective was to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths on key routes by at least five percent. The focus was on major traffic corridors where congestion and heightened accident risks regularly emerged during Songkran.
Free tolls on expressways and motorways
On several expressways and motorways, tolls were temporarily lifted, depending on the route for up to seven days. Additional routes were to be opened on a temporary basis to ease congestion and reduce traffic jams.
The toll measures were designed to keep vehicles moving more evenly across the network. Officials aimed to prevent bottlenecks at toll plazas and relieve pressure on the most heavily used stretches.
Free checks and roadside assistance for drivers
Travellers were able to use free vehicle inspections at multiple locations nationwide. These checks were intended to identify technical problems before they could contribute to serious accidents.
In addition, service centres, roadside assistance units and rest areas were provided to support journeys during the holidays. The extra facilities were meant to give drivers more options to pause, seek help and continue trips safely.
Traffic management: construction halt, lighting, controls and truck rules
Measures included suspending road construction works and improving street lighting. High-risk areas were to be monitored more closely to respond quickly to emerging dangers.
Movements of trucks were also to be restricted during peak periods to stabilise traffic flow and reduce hazards. The combination of controls and adjusted heavy-vehicle rules was intended to lower the likelihood of severe collisions on crowded arteries.
Public transport: fares stable, capacity monitored
In public transport, existing fares were to be maintained during the holidays. Authorities signalled that passengers should not face sudden surcharges in the busy period.
At the same time, additional steps were planned to ensure sufficient capacity and prevent overpricing. Transport operators were expected to adjust services so that demand could be met without compromising safety standards.
Extras at airports and for seniors
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, free parking was offered to travellers. Complimentary shuttle buses were to make transfers between facilities easier during the festival period.
On selected systems, free public transport for elderly passengers was also planned. In parallel, agencies worked to secure adequate fuel supplies and the functioning of essential public services throughout the holiday travel season.
Public invited to share experiences
The source report invited readers to weigh in on the balance between incentives and enforcement.
“Do you think free tolls and additional services are the most effective levers to make Songkran travel safer – or are stricter controls and tougher rules more important?”
said the publication, calling for comments on personal experiences on Thailand’s roads during Songkran and views on which measures work best.