Approximately 2.61 million passengers are expected to pass through six international airports during the upcoming Songkran festival, as reported by the Transport Ministry.
Following a meeting, Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreangkit conveyed that Airports of Thailand (AoT) and all related transport agencies have been directed to prioritize passenger safety during this busy period.
The anticipated visitor count between April 11 and 17 at the six airports is projected to rise by 28.50% compared to the same period last year. Of these passengers, around 1.65 million are expected to be international travelers, reflecting a 46% increase from the previous year, while local passengers are estimated to reach approximately 962,362, an increase of 6.59%.
The total number of scheduled flights is set to reach 15,113, up 16.71% from the previous year, with 8,682 being international flights and 6,431 domestic flights.
Suvarnabhumi airport is forecasted to receive 1.34 million passengers from 7,022 flights, while Don Mueang airport is expected to accommodate 625,530 passengers on 4,117 flights.
Chiang Mai airport will welcome roughly 199,563 passengers through 1,152 flights, and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai airport is projected to see 41,318 passengers on 281 flights.
At Phuket airport, 355,501 passengers are expected to arrive on 2,161 flights, and Hat Yai airport is likely to receive 53,894 passengers across 380 flights.
To facilitate the increased traffic, arrangements have been made for free parking at designated areas in Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports during the festival dates. Additionally, efforts are being made to ensure smooth operations through collaboration with immigration police and ground service personnel.
AoT has established dedicated centers to monitor services continuously and recommends passengers utilize self-service kiosks and bag drop facilities for faster check-ins without excessive reliance on ground staff.
Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote highlighted that the State Railway of Thailand has also been instructed to enhance services for travelers during Songkran, including extending the booking window for express train tickets. Popular travel dates are expected to be around April 10-11 for outbound trips and April 16-17 for return journeys to Bangkok.
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