BANGKOK, THAILAND – Airports of Thailand prepared for a sharp Songkran travel surge, forecasting 3.7 million passengers across six major airports over ten days.
Forecast: 3.7 million passengers in ten days
State-run operator Airports of Thailand (AOT) projected about 3.7 million passengers at its six main airports between 10 and 19 April, an increase of 2.3% compared with the same period a year earlier. According to the company, the holiday rush was expected to stretch capacity but remain manageable.
AOT president Pavina Jariyathitipong said the figures mainly reflected stronger domestic demand, as many people traveled to their hometowns or within Thailand for the festival period.
“The forecast primarily reflects strong domestic demand, as many people travel to their hometowns over the holidays or move within Thailand,”
said Pavina Jariyathitipong, AOT president.
Domestic traffic up, international slightly down
The number of domestic travelers was expected to rise to around 1.44 million, a 9.3% increase from the previous year’s Songkran period. AOT linked this to robust internal tourism and homebound travel during the New Year water festival.
International passenger numbers, by contrast, were estimated at about 2.26 million, a decline of 2.2%. The airport operator attributed the dip to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which continued to weigh on some international routes.
More flights: over 23,000 movements expected
Total aircraft movements over the ten days were forecast at roughly 23,070, up 2.6% year-on-year. The increase pointed to airlines adding capacity to cope with Songkran demand.
Of these, around 10,918 were domestic flights, a rise of 4.5%. Approximately 12,152 were international flights, representing a more modest 0.9% increase.
Six key AOT airports in focus
The forecast covered Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in Bangkok, which together handle the largest share of Thailand’s air traffic. In the north, Chiang Mai International and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International were also expected to see heavy holiday loads.
In the south, Phuket International and Hat Yai International formed part of the AOT network bracing for high occupancy during Songkran. These regional hubs serve both tourists and domestic travelers returning home.
Free Songkran parking: dates and locations
To ease congestion and parking pressure, AOT offered free parking at selected airports, in some cases with a 24-hour shuttle service to the terminals. The measures were designed to keep traffic flowing despite the surge in private vehicles.
At Suvarnabhumi, the long-term parking Zone C was made free of charge from 11 to 15 April. At Don Mueang, the Cargo Building 4 area was also available at no cost from 11 to 15 April.
Additional free parking in Phuket and Hat Yai
At Phuket International Airport, the area near the X-Terminal was opened for free parking from the evening of 10 April until 15 April. The additional spaces aimed to serve both local travelers and tourists heading for island destinations.
In Hat Yai, a designated parking lot was offered free of charge from 12 to 16 April. AOT said the measure was intended to better absorb the holiday traffic in the southern city.
Faster processing: self check-in, bag drop and biometrics
AOT announced a package of measures to speed up passenger processing, including more baggage trolleys at the busiest terminals. The operator also expanded self-service check-in (CUSS) and self bag-drop (CUBD) facilities to reduce queues at counters.
In addition, biometric facial recognition was to be used more widely to accelerate passenger handling during peak times. The technology was intended to shorten waiting periods and smooth the flow through key checkpoints.
More help on the ground: shuttles, ambassadors and special support
For travelers requiring special assistance, AOT said it would expand support services during the festival period. This included help for people with reduced mobility and others needing extra care.
Shuttle buses were scheduled to run continuously within airport grounds to connect parking areas and terminals. Airport Ambassadors and additional helpers were to be positioned throughout terminals to guide passengers and provide quick answers to questions.
Language support and closer coordination with authorities
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, AOT prepared more multilingual interpreters to assist foreign visitors. Languages included Korean, Japanese, Russian and Chinese, as well as French, Arabic and Vietnamese.
The operator also coordinated with the Immigration Police to increase staffing at passport control. At the same time, AOT worked with transport providers to keep links to and from the airports running smoothly during the peak period.
Security and 24-hour service during peak travel
Throughout the Songkran period, a 24-hour Passenger Facilitation Center was to be in operation to resolve problems and bottlenecks quickly. The center served as a coordination point for handling crowd-related issues.
In parallel, security measures and stricter screening protocols were reinforced at all AOT airports. The company said the goal was to ensure safety and strengthen traveler confidence during Thailand’s busiest holiday season.