Ministry of Transport Launches Over 300 Rest and Service Stops Nationwide for Songkran 2026 Travel

Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat led the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Highways to kick off the opening of over 300 rest and service points nationwide to handle the travel surge during the Songkran festival in 2026. The initiative aims to reduce driver fatigue and prevent accidents, with 570 rapid response units providing 24-hour assistance from 10 to 19 April.

The Ministry of Transport prepares 300 rest stops nationwide for Songkran 2026.

On 8 April 2026, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, chaired the opening ceremony of service points nationwide for the Songkran festival at the Songkhla Weigh Station in Ratphum District and the Thepha Highway Rest Area in Thepha District, Songkhla Province, with senior officials from the Ministry of Transport, Department of Highways, local government leaders, and community members attending.

Mr. Phiphat stated that Songkran is a period of very high travel volume. He instructed the Department of Highways to integrate preparations for over 300 service points nationwide under the concept "Stop to Rest Your Vehicle and Yourself" to reduce driver fatigue and help prevent road accidents.

Check service points and rapid response units from 10 to 19 April.

To serve the public during Songkran, the Department of Highways has prepared in various aspects, including:

• 174 permanent rest stops These are distributed across all regions, accommodating both regular cars and trucks, with 662 clean restrooms available 24 hours a day.
• 127 special service points nationwide Established temporarily from 10 to 19 April 2026, staffed by personnel coordinating with local authorities to provide drinking water, seating, route information, and basic first aid.
• 570 rapid response units Ready to assist road users immediately in emergencies.

Pilot service points have opened in Songkhla Province, a key route to southern Thailand. Two free service points are available: one at Ratphum District at the Songkhla Weigh Station (along Highway 4 inbound at km 1224+359) and another at Thepha District at the Thepha Highway Rest Area (on Highway 43 outbound between km 60+100 and 60+300).

Update on major road expansion projects in southern Thailand.

Mr. Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan, Director-General of the Department of Highways, provided updates on key road construction projects in Songkhla Province designed to connect the border economy, comprising four main routes:

1. Highway 42 segment Khlong Ngae - Najok
2. Highway 42 Khlong Ngae - Su-ngai Kolok permanent border checkpoint (divided into three sub-segments)
3. Highway 43 segment Chana - Padet
4. Highway 4085 segment Pak Nam Thepha - Than Khiri

The Department of Highways is committed to developing and maintaining a comprehensive road network that efficiently connects southern border and economic areas safely and to standard, aiming to sustainably drive the nation's economy.

Drive safely. Call 1586 any time, 24 hours a day.

The Department of Highways requests road users to drive carefully, obey traffic laws, and plan trips in advance. Travelers can stop at Department of Highways service points nationwide. For road conditions, travel information, or emergency assistance, call the Department's hotline at 1586, free on all networks, 24 hours a day.

Read news " Government policies " more