Expected spending$ 15 million on public transportation
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand ( CAAT ), six airlines will add 104 flights and offer a discount of about 20 % on domestic flights in the early morning and late night during the Songkran holiday.
Sarun Benjanirut, the deputy director-general of CAAT, stated on Monday that the action is in response to Transport Minister Suriya Juangruangreangkit’s recent request to lower airfares during celebrations to help resolve the issue of cheap local flight tickets.
The CAAT met with six airlines on February 28 to talk about the high cost of flights, including Thai Airways ( THAI), Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai LionAir, NokAir, and Thai Vietjet.
On April 11, 12, 15, and 16, according to Mr. Sarun, these carriers have agreed to fly 104 more chairs, which will provide 17 874 more tickets to destinations like Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen.
The fares may be lowered because many of these flights will work outside of ordinary journey hours, either in the early morning or late at night, he said, adding that the cheap would be around 20 % and be available as an economy option for Songkran travel.
He claimed that the carriers have already submitted calls to the CAAT for these additional votes, and that bookings for these chairs are anticipated to begin on Tuesday.
Travelers are advised to plan their trips and make reservations several weeks in advance, according to the CAAT assistant director-general, to ensure accessibility and affordable rates. They are also advised to make reservations through the airlines ‘ sites because the CAAT regulates and monitors the rates, with a cap for each course.
Interprovincial buses are likely to continue to be the preferred mode of transportation for those heading to the provinces in the years to come after April 11 and 17. According to the Transport Ministry, about 15.45 million people may use public transportation this year.
Mr. Suriya claimed that he had instructed the important organizations to take proactive measures to reduce road accidents and maintain safe and convenient vacation for the upcoming holiday.
For motorists who travel on the Eastern Motorway ( Highway 7 ), Kanchanapisek Road ( Highway 9 ), the Buraphawithee Expressway ( Bang Na- Chon Buri ) and the Kanchanaphiske Expressway ( Bang Phli- Suksawat ), tolls will be waived during this time. In April 13 through April 15, three motorways, Srirat, Udon Ratthaya, and Chalerm Maha Nakhon, may remain free for drivers.
Rapipan Wannapintu, vice chairman of Transport Co, which provides international bus services, said Transport Co is preparing to deal with a sizable number of passengers during the upcoming vacation.
The company has requested permission from the Department of Land Transport to employ 900 additional cars to handle passengers and will arrange about 4,200 visits for April 11 and 4, 000 visits for April 15 and April 17.
In a different growth, the Department of Labour Welfare and Protection is urging the private sector to offer April 12 as an additional day off for employees because the case just designated April 12 as a specific government holiday to allow a 5-day Songkran festival weekend.
The department also advises employers to follow labor safety regulations when requiring their employees to work on time away. This includes making sure to pay for extra and abide by the time regulations, especially if driving is involved.
The government also approved a 104 million baht resources for the extended Maha Songkran World Water Festival, which hopes to draw in over 200 000 customers and bring in$ 3.125 billion in revenue.