BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) – The mass exodus of Thais who
head to provinces to reunite with their families begins as the countdown has
started to the nation’s Songkran Festival or traditional Thai New Year.
The Highways Department will close danger-prone sections on
a main highway to the North to promote road safety while people are flocking to
northern trains for their Songkran holiday.
The Highways Department’s branch in Chai Nat province stated
that on April 11-17 four U-turns on Highway 32, also known as Asian Highway,
would be closed and motorists would have to do U-turns under bridges instead
for safety.
The U-turns to be temporarily closed are at Wat Samor, Wat
Maprang, Kaew Sawang rice mill and Bang Ta Lai U-turns.
Regarding train services, all seats on express trains,
air-conditioned trains and sleeper trains were fully reserved in Phichit
province during the Songkran festival. There are about 10 trains of these
categories operating daily. More tickets are still available but buyers will
have to stand on the trains.
Three morning trains from Den Chai to Sila At and from
Phitsanulok to Bangkok were packed.
Meanwhile, the Digital Startup Institute recommended people
use the “Police i lert u” software application to report clues for crime cases
and criminal incidents to police during the Songkran festival. The application
also provides users with live chat services with police. (TNA)