PUBLISHED: 11 Mar 2025 at 05: 23
An extra 25, 000 tickets for domestic flights will be added during the forthcoming Songkran vacation, with air ticket prices for certain pathways reduced by 30 %, according to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
Mr Suriya, even a deputy prime minister, chaired a meeting on Monday to make for an influx of tourists during the top vacation time from April 11-17.
Representatives from various state authorities and the exclusive market attended the meeting.
In response to the expected high demand for air tickets during the festival while ensuring reasonable airfares, Mr Suriya suggested that six major airlines under the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand ( CAAT )– Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet Air, provide 25, 000 more seats through 124 additional flights.
He even suggested that flights reduce tickets on certain common roads by 30 %. The carriers agreed to cooperate.
The 124 more flights will include the Bangkok–Phuket, Bangkok–Chiang Mai, Bangkok–Krabi, Bangkok–Koh Samui, Bangkok–Nakhon Phanom, Bangkok–Udon Thani, Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani, Bangkok–Chiang Rai, Bangkok–Khon Kaen, Bangkok– Hat Yai and Bangkok–Nakhon Si Thammarat roads.
Tickets will be available for order from now until March 20 via the airlines ‘ websites, call centres and ticket counters.
The State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) was also instructed to provide 26 extra train services between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Sila At and Yala.
The Transport Company was also told to put on 1, 000 excess bus service to help a large number of tourists, which are expected to crest on April 11 with 130, 000 people.
Mr Suriya said cars will continue to use the 167km Hin Kong-Pak Chong part of the M6 road and the 96km M81 highway free of charge while the two toll highways are undergoing a test period.