Motorways open free for Songkran travel from April 11 to April 17
During the upcoming Songkran festival, the Department of Highways (DoH) is preparing to facilitate travel by opening two motorway routes free of charge.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, stated that a significant number of people are expected to travel to their hometowns or on vacation during this period. To ensure smooth and safe travel from April 11 to April 17, the DoH has been tasked with making the necessary preparations.
Aphirath Chaiyavongnoi, Director General of the Department of Highways, has instructed highway offices and branches nationwide to inspect traffic signs, signals, and lighting to ensure functionality. Additionally, risky and hazardous areas are to be assessed and rectified.
The DoH will maintain highways in good condition and provide Mobile Service Cars for emergency assistance in the event of accidents or vehicle breakdowns. Contractors have been asked to clear construction sites to ease traffic flow.
In case of heavy congestion on major routes, coordination with highway police will enable the opening of special reversible lanes. Traffic management officers will be deployed at congested points to facilitate smooth, quick, and safe travel. Furthermore, the DoH has established 423 service points across Thailand.
The service points are divided into 130 managed by highway branches, the Intercity Motorway Division in collaboration with other agencies, 205 by highway police, and 88 at weigh and rest stations for trucks. These stations will provide 24-hour services, offering route information, alternative route suggestions, and drinking water. Clean restrooms will be available at 651 highway sections nationwide.
Aphirath also announced the free opening of two motorway routes: Motorway No. 7 (Bangkok – Chon Buri – Pattaya – Map Ta Phut) and Motorway No. 9 (Bang Pa-in – Bang Phli and Phra Pradaeng – Bang Khun Thian) from 12.01am on April 11 to midnight on April 17. Additionally, temporary access to Motorway No. 6, from Hin Kong to Pak Chong to Nakhon Ratchasima, covering 163 kilometres, will be available.
This route will be open for outbound traffic from Bangkok for the first three days and inbound for the remaining four days. Motorway No. 81, from Bang Yai to Kanchanaburi, spanning 96 kilometres, will also be accessible during this period, from April 11 to April 17, reported KhaoSod.
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