Nearly 2 million Thai travellers head overseas for new year break

Nearly 2 million Thais travelled internationally for this year’s New Year celebrations. That’s a 3.9% increase over the previous year. Thai overseas travellers totalled 1,944,220 people. And although up 3.9% on outbound traffic the year before, it was 2.2% below estimates.

Domestic travel between provinces totalled 4,298,626 people. That was down 6.4% from last year and 8% below estimates. Finally, travel within Bangkok was 8,465,456 people, 3.5% fewer people than last year.

The Transport Ministry announced that 14.7 million passenger used public transportation during the holiday period, down 3.5% from the previous year. Whilst Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says the number of accidents and deaths had decreased from the previous year, comparing the two same 7 day road accident campaigns.

The Transport Minister is ordering all departments to conduct an in-depth analysis of the true causes of the accidents.

:If there were any shortcomings of the ministry such as road conditions or lack of safety equipment, it must be resolved.”

SOURCE: The Nation