PUBLISHED: 13 Apr 2025 at 05: 15
The first day of the Songkran 2025 trip kicked off on Saturday, with tens of thousands of people travelling to their home counties or vacation destinations across the country.
State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) governor Veeris Ammarapala said Krungthep Apiwat Station was packed with travellers throughout the day, and the number of passengers on the first day was expected to exceed 117, 000, with more than 81, 000 departing.
The SRT increased train speed and maintained workers were on hand to assist passengers amid the wave in travel demand, he said, adding police were also deployed to improve safety at train stations.
Mr Veeris said a full of 90, 347 persons travelled by station on Friday, the day of the Songkran vacation, with no people left stranded.
The southwestern route recorded the highest number of guests at 31, 036, followed by the northern route with 25, 042, and the north range with 17, 603 people.
The remaining guests used the southeast ranges and the short-distance roads of Mahachai and Mae Klong.
Thakoon Intarachom, chairman of the SRT’s coach operations, said more vehicles were added to all roads, and train companies can now accommodate up to 120, 000 people per day.
At the Mor Chit bus terminal, around 120, 000 passengers were expected on Saturday, said Chatchawal Porn-amorntham, acting executive manager of Transport Co.
To handle the increase, an extra fleet of 1, 000 buses was deployed, he said.
Mr Chatchawal said a total of 106, 337 people departed from Mor Chit on Friday, while 46, 006 passengers arrived.
Meanwhile, traffic on Mittraphap Road heading toward Nakhon Ratchasima– the gateway to the northeastern region– was heavy and slow-moving, despite a section of the M6 motorway ( Hin Kong–Korat ) being opened to ease congestion.
Petrol stations along the route were also crowded with motorists refuelling and taking breaks from their journeys.
On Asia Road in Chai Nat’s Manorom district, heading toward the northern region, traffic volume increased on Friday night.
However, it remained relatively smooth, with only minor congestion. Heavy congestion was reported in Nakhon Sawan’s Phayuha Khiri district, where traffic from Phahon Yothin Road merged with vehicles from Asia Road, creating a bottleneck.
Authorities are urging all drivers to place safety precedence and abide by traffic laws.