Thailand waives tolls for Songkran festival to ease travel costs

The Thai Cabinet approved a toll exemption for vehicles on Motorway No. 7 and Motorway No. 9 during the seven-day Songkran festival period to alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate convenience for travellers. The exemption will be in effect from 12.01am on April 11 to midnight on April 17, in time for the country’s traditional new year celebrations.

The decision was announced by government spokesperson Karom Polpornklang at 1pm, today, April 2, during a press conference held at Government House. The Ministry of Transport proposed the toll waiver, which was promptly approved by the Cabinet.

This initiative is aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow during one of Thailand’s busiest travel periods when citizens often return to their hometowns to celebrate with family.

Motorway No. 7, connecting Bangkok to Ban Chang, and Motorway No. 9, also known as the Outer Ring Road or Kanchanaphisek Road, encompassing the stretches from Phra Pradaeng to Bang Khun Thian and from Bang Pa-in to Bang Phli, will be free for motorists throughout the designated period. This move is expected to significantly reduce the burden of travel costs for thousands of people during the festival.

The Songkran festival, also widely known as the Water Festival, is celebrated as the traditional Thai New Year. It is a time for family reunions, temple visits, and cultural events.

The holiday is famously associated with water being used for cleansing, renewal, and for playful water fights, a practice that has become a major tourist attraction. However, the core of the festival remains a time for reflection and respect for elders, including the tradition of pouring water over the hands of elders in a gesture of humility and asking for blessings.

Travel surge

The exemption of toll fees is part of a broader strategy to manage the expected surge in travel during Songkran. Every year, the government implements measures to improve safety and convenience on the roads, including strict enforcement of traffic laws, establishment of additional checkpoints, and promotion of road safety campaigns.

The toll waiver is anticipated to be a welcome relief for travellers, easing the financial cost of long-distance travel during the holiday season, reported KhaoSod.

While the toll exemption represents a financial loss for the government in the short term, the increased mobility may contribute to economic activity, as people can travel more freely and potentially spend more during the holiday period. Moreover, the gesture of goodwill from the government is likely to be well-received by the public, who often face heavy traffic and high travel expenses during this time.