BANGKOK, April 1 – Government spokesman reveals that the Prime Minister has urged all agencies Prepare to facilitate – safety. Supporting people traveling during Songkran Festival 2023
Mr. Anucha Burapachaisri Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs Acting as a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office revealed that during the upcoming Songkran Festival in 2023, there are many consecutive public holidays. People are expected to return to their hometowns and travel to various tourist attractions in large numbers. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense has been instructed to the Ministry of Transport ministry of interior National Police Agency Integration with related agencies to facilitate the travel of the public with an emphasis on measures to reduce accidents Make the journey of people to the highest safety.
Mr. Anucha said the Ministry of Transport The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) predicts that during the 7-day Songkran Festival in 2023, there will be a total of 13.60 million people traveling by public transport. Increasing from the previous Songkran festival in 2022, where the Ministry of Transport has prepared public transportation on land, rail and air, including travel connections at bus stations, ports and airports. to provide adequate services to the public and meet international standards So that people can travel with the most convenience and safety. OTP predicts that during the 7 days of the Songkran Festival in 2023 there will be traffic volumes entering and exiting Bangkok on 5 main highways in the north, northeast, east and west. and under total 4. 60 million cars, so to manage traffic to achieve flexibility Therefore, people are asked to plan their trips in advance. in order to diversify travel and travel time on the route in and out of Bangkok by requesting cooperation for the group to travel near (200 – 300 km distance from Bangkok) to leave later – return first By avoiding traveling during the expected high travel volume during departures and arrivals on April 12 and 16, 2023 for those traveling by public transport. Please plan your trip by booking tickets in advance via online channels.
In addition, the Ministry of Transport has prepared traffic management measures on main and secondary roads with heavy traffic congestion, such as public relations requesting people to use secondary/bypass routes. that still has the capacity to accommodate traffic, for example, the route going to the Northeast: Highway 304 (Chachoengsao – Kabin Buri) M6 (Pak Chong – Sikhio – Kham Talay So), the route going to the North: Highway 340 (Bang Bua Thong – Chainat) The route to the eastern region: Highway 3 (Sukhumvit) Highway 34 (Bangna-Trad), including having to return the traffic surface and manage the construction project area (Work Zone), forbidden 10-wheel trucks to drive in 7 routes and notify the owner of the product to plan the transportation out of the port Along with checking, improving, arranging safety equipment at risky areas where repeated accidents occur. Campaign to raise awareness and request people to cooperate in obeying the law. maintain traffic discipline And be careful to ensure travel safety. By focusing on reducing risky driving behaviors, “do not drive fast – wear seat belts – wear helmets – do not drink and drive – do not drive drowsy – do not drive backwards”, including wearing a life jacket every time when traveling on water. And increase caution when traveling through risky points such as train intersections / pilferage through railway boundaries, as well as strictly supervise and manage safety. Inspect the readiness and safety standards of drivers, vehicles and public transport stations on land, rail, water and air. Using technology such as CCTV cameras, GPS systems to help supervise road safety, AIS/VMS systems to help supervise water safety There is an integration of cooperation between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Interior to jointly drive travel safety at the local level, such as campaigning for local communities to take care of each other. Surveillance of road and train intersections taking care of risk points and setting up checkpoints in the community area Emphasizing that public transport must strictly take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“The Prime Minister emphasizes proactive public relations. To facilitate travel for people to use secondary routes / bypass routes to travel. along with urging officials to strictly enforce the law In case of traffic violation behavior and risky behaviors that may cause accidents which are often found during festivals Whether driving at a speed that exceeds the limit, being drunk, and requiring all relevant units to strictly follow the Songkran Festival plan. for the safety of the people. Please prepare yourself for a long journey. travel with caution Driving a vehicle with carelessness Be mindful when traveling, don’t drink and drive, don’t drive in a short distance. For a safe journey back to their hometown and travel. People can check travel information and report accidents at the Transportation Safety Center, Hotline 1356, Application, Hotline and Website.
In this regard, agencies under the Ministry of Transport have jointly provided free services to people during the Songkran Festival 2023, consisting of
Waiver of collecting fees during the Songkran Festival 2023 for 7 days (12 – 18 April 2023) for 2 motorways, namely No. 7 (Bangkok – Pattaya City) and No. 9 (Bangkok Outer Ring Road). Kanchanaphisek Road, Bang Pa-in – Bang Phli section and Phra Pradaeng – Bang Khae section, Phra Pradaeng – Bang Khun Thian interchange) and 2 expressways, namely the Burapha Withi Expressway and the Kanchanaphisek Expressway. In addition, the other 3 expressways are the Si Rat, Udon Ratthaya and Chalerm Mahanakorn Expressways. Fee waiver for 3 days (13 – 15 April 2023)
Motorway No. 6, Pak Chong – Sikhiu – Kham Thale So, is 64 kilometers long, during the Songkran Festival 2023, for outbound for 3 days (12 – 14 April 2023) and inbound for 4 days (On at 15 – 18 April 2023)
Free parking at Suvarnabhumi Airport at the long-term parking lot, Zone C, for 7 days (12-18 April 2023).-Thai News Agency
Source: Thai News Agency