During the Songkran holiday period, six airlines are set to introduce 104 additional flights and offer a discount of approximately 20% on early morning and late-night domestic flights, as stated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
Following Transport Minister Suriya Juangruangreangkit’s request for reduced airfares during festivities to alleviate the issue of costly domestic flight tickets, CAAT deputy director-general Sarun Benjanirut announced this initiative on Monday.
In a meeting held on February 28, CAAT and six airlines – Thai Airways (THAI), Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai LionAir, NokAir, and Thai Vietjet – discussed the high airfare prices. The airlines have collectively agreed to operate 104 extra flights, providing 17,874 additional seats, on April 11, 12, 15, and 16 to popular destinations like Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen.
These additional flights, scheduled during off-peak hours, aim to entice travelers with reduced fares. The airlines plan to offer a 20% discount, presenting an economical option for Songkran travel. Requests for these extra flights have been submitted to CAAT, with bookings expected to open on Tuesday.
Travelers are urged to plan ahead and book in advance to secure availability and affordable rates. Booking through the airlines’ official websites is advised, as prices are monitored and regulated by CAAT with fixed rates for each route.
The Transport Ministry anticipates around 15.45 million individuals traveling via public transport from April 11-17, with interprovincial buses remaining a preferred mode of transportation during the holiday period.
To enhance travel convenience and safety, tolls will be waived on specific expressways, including the eastern motorway (Highway 7) and others during designated dates. Transport Co is gearing up for the surge in passengers, preparing 4,200 trips for April 9-11 and 4,000 trips for April 15-17.
Moreover, the Department of Labour Welfare and Protection is encouraging private companies to grant an additional day off on April 12, following a recent declaration by the cabinet. This move aims to ensure a five-day weekend for the Songkran festival. Businesses are reminded to adhere to labor laws when requiring employees to work on these days.
The cabinet has also allocated a budget of 104 million baht for organizing an extended Maha Songkran World Water Festival, with the aim of attracting over 200,000 visitors and generating 3.125 billion baht in revenue.
READ MORE STORIES: https://bangkokone.news
