On December 28, Veerith Amrapal, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), announced measures implemented under the directive of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit. The policy, titled "Festival of Happiness: Convenient and Safe Travel Across Thailand," aims to ensure smooth and efficient transportation during the New Year holiday period.
To accommodate the travel demand, the SRT has:
- Deployed additional special trains and attached extra carriages to regular trains.
- Increased staffing to assist passengers at stations and on trains.
Record Passenger Numbers on December 27
On December 27, the last working day before the holiday break, the SRT recorded a total of 99,515 passengers, distributed as follows:
- Regular trains: 96,492 passengers
- Special trains: 3,023 passengers
Travel Patterns:
- Inbound passengers: 45,067
- Outbound passengers: 54,448
The Southern Line experienced the highest passenger volume (30,110), followed by the Northeastern Line (28,591), the Northern Line (21,098), the Eastern Line (11,485), the Mahachai Line (6,646), and the Maeklong Line (1,585).
The stations at Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) were bustling with travelers and tourists, reflecting the festive atmosphere.
Continuing Travel Surge on December 28
The morning of December 28 saw a steady flow of passengers traveling to their hometowns or holiday destinations. By midday, large crowds were expected to arrive at the stations, having reserved tickets in advance for both regular and special trains. The SRT assured the public that there are sufficient train services and carriages to meet demand, with no reports of stranded passengers. Ticket sales and boarding processes have been running smoothly.
This robust management reflects the SRT’s commitment to ensuring a convenient and safe journey for all passengers during the holiday season.