ID :
115865
Sat, 04/10/2010 - 12:05
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/115865
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More holiday-takers to leave Bangkok during Songkran festival
BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) -- The current political turmoil is expected to force higher numbers of the public to leave Bangkok for upcountry and abroad to celebrate--or escape-- the Songkran festival, Thailand’s traditional New Year, which starts next week, senior officials said.
Already some 180,000 Songkran travelers left the Thai capital by buses of the state-owned Transport Co, Ltd while another 80,000 left by train and more than 70,000 by Thai Airways on Friday, Transport Minister Sopon Zarum said.
Mr Sopon said his ministry would freely give away 999,999 Buddha amulets to Songkran travelers to boost morale in traveling safely during the festival.
More people are expected to start their journey next week to celebrate the festival, officially from Tuesday to Thursday. However, most travelers are expected to stay away from Bangkok from April 9 to 18.
Security at Suvarnabhumi Airport will remain tight, said Mr Sopon.
His remarks were made as anti-government protesters continue to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House and call $general elections. The protesters have been demonstrating in Bangkok since March 14.
Yutthana Thapcharoen, governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), said he believed those using train services during the Songkran festival would increase 10 per cent this year from last year due to the long holiday and political problems, mainly in Bangkok.
In order to cater to the expected increase of train passengers on Saturday, the SRT has added another 58 trains, said Mr Yutthana. (TNA)
Already some 180,000 Songkran travelers left the Thai capital by buses of the state-owned Transport Co, Ltd while another 80,000 left by train and more than 70,000 by Thai Airways on Friday, Transport Minister Sopon Zarum said.
Mr Sopon said his ministry would freely give away 999,999 Buddha amulets to Songkran travelers to boost morale in traveling safely during the festival.
More people are expected to start their journey next week to celebrate the festival, officially from Tuesday to Thursday. However, most travelers are expected to stay away from Bangkok from April 9 to 18.
Security at Suvarnabhumi Airport will remain tight, said Mr Sopon.
His remarks were made as anti-government protesters continue to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House and call $general elections. The protesters have been demonstrating in Bangkok since March 14.
Yutthana Thapcharoen, governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), said he believed those using train services during the Songkran festival would increase 10 per cent this year from last year due to the long holiday and political problems, mainly in Bangkok.
In order to cater to the expected increase of train passengers on Saturday, the SRT has added another 58 trains, said Mr Yutthana. (TNA)
