Transport Minister Pipat has mobilized transport agencies to facilitate public travel during Songkran 2026 under the campaign “No Matter When You Leave, You’ll Get Home – Smart Travel Songkran 2026,” including free expressway and motorway rides, free parking at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and free vehicle inspections, aiming to reduce accidents, deaths, and injuries by at least 5%. Tags: [Songkran Festival, Transport Ministry, Road Safety, Public Travel, Motorway, Expressway, Vehicle Inspection]
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn announced he has ordered affiliated agencies to jointly implement an integrated plan to facilitate safe travel for the public during the Songkran festival from 10 to 19 April 2026, a total of 10 days, under the campaign “No Matter When You Leave, You’ll Get Home – Smart Travel Songkran 2026.” The goal is to reduce accidents, fatalities, and injuries on the Ministry of Transport’s road network by at least 5%.Tags: [Deputy Prime Minister, Transport Ministry, Songkran Festival, Travel Safety, Accident Reduction]
Pipat said that agencies under the Ministry of Transport will offer free services during Songkran 2026 including toll exemptions on expressways managed by the Expressway Authority of Thailand: Burapha Withi Expressway and Kanchanaphisek Expressway (Bang Phli–Suksawat section) for seven days from 00:01 on 10 April to 24:00 on 16 April 2026; and Udon Ratthaya Expressway, Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway, and Si Rat Expressway for three days from 00:01 on 13 April to 24:00 on 15 April 2026. Additionally, toll fees on three motorways operated by the Department of Highways will be waived: Motorway No. 7 (Bangkok–Pattaya), Motorway No. 9 (Outer Ring Road sections Bang Pa-in–Bang Phli and Phra Pradaeng–Bang Khae), and Motorway No. 81 (Bang Yai–Kanchanaburi) for seven days from 10 to 16 April 2026.Tags: [Toll Exemption, Expressways, Motorways, Songkran Festival, Transport Ministry]
Furthermore, under-construction motorway sections will be opened to ease travel for the public: Motorway No. 6 from Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima, where the Bang Pa-in–Pak Chong section will be used as outbound from Bangkok from 10 to 13 April 2026 and inbound from 14 to 19 April 2026; the Pak Chong–Nakhon Ratchasima section will be open for both directions; and Motorway No. 82, a 10-kilometer stretch from Bang Khun Thian Interchange to Ekachai, will be accessible.Tags: [Motorway, Road Construction, Travel Facilitation, Songkran Festival, Transport Ministry]
Pipat added that the Department of Land Transport and partner networks will provide free vehicle inspections for private cars at 29 locations, carried out at private centers displaying the “Free Vehicle Inspection for Safe Driving” sign. Vocational transport volunteers will inspect vehicles and offer on-route assistance at 150 locations nationwide. Additionally, 219 travel support centers will be set up at bus stations and rest areas nationwide from 9 to 19 April 2026.Tags: [Vehicle Inspection, Land Transport Department, Travel Support, Songkran Festival]
The Department of Land Transport revealed plans to address fuel price volatility by increasing bus fares by 5 satang per seat per kilometer, following the Central Land Transport Control Board’s resolution on 30 March 2026. They are working on a fare adjustment formula reflecting economic conditions and fuel prices to allow flexible fare changes. During Songkran, the Transport Company Limited will freeze bus ticket prices until 19 April 2026. Passengers who purchased tickets in advance will pay the original price without extra charges, and ticket cancellations will not be allowed to ensure sufficient bus capacity during the festival, helping people travel home comfortably.Tags: [Bus Fare, Fuel Price, Land Transport Department, Songkran Festival, Public Transport]
Pipat said all agencies have been instructed to halt construction activities and restore road surfaces in construction zones, increase lighting along routes for nighttime safety, reduce and close accident-prone spots, monitor repeated accident sites, and manage traffic congestion proactively. Agencies will continuously monitor traffic volumes and manage traffic to ease congestion, requesting truck drivers to avoid peak travel times, and deploy mobile service units to assist travelers.Tags: [Road Safety, Traffic Management, Construction Halt, Songkran Festival, Transport Ministry]
On National Elderly Day, 13 April, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand will waive fares on all four MRT lines—the Purple, Blue, Yellow, and Pink Lines—for passengers aged 60 and above from 13 to 15 April 2026 during service hours. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will offer free rides on all bus types on 13 April 2026.Tags: [Elderly Day, MRT, Public Transport, Free Fares, Songkran Festival]
The Department of Airports has coordinated with operators to ensure sufficient shuttle services for all flights at all airports. At Suvarnabhumi Airport, free long-term parking in Zone C will be provided from 00:01 on 11 April to 24:00 on 15 April 2026 to facilitate passengers and users. Additionally, a free Shuttle Bus Line A will operate between long-term parking Zone C and the passenger terminal.Tags: [Airport Services, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Shuttle Bus, Free Parking, Songkran Festival]
Pipat concluded by emphasizing that all agencies must ensure no passengers are left behind in public transport systems and strictly control fares to prevent price gouging. Fuel supplies must be sufficient at departure points from Bangkok and for returns from all regions. The public can check travel information and report accidents via the Transport Safety Center hotline 1356 and apps such as M Traffic for motorways, Thailand Highway Traffic for nationwide highways, NAMTANG for public transport in Bangkok and surrounding areas, as well as hotlines and websites of Ministry of Transport agencies. Information will include shortcuts, detours, and road facilities like bus stations, rest stops, vehicle inspection points, and service centers.Tags: [Public Transport, Fare Control, Fuel Supply, Travel Information, Transport Safety]
.Tags: [] State PolicyTags: [Government Policy] AdditionalTags: [Additional Information]