Bangkok is bracing for a return to gridlock and chaotic scenes at airports and train stations today as hundreds of thousands of revellers are expected to return after the Songkran holidays.
More than 370,000 people are expected to use trains, planes and bus services on the return to Bangkok after the annual Songkran exodus to the provinces, while police said they would remain out in force as drivers make their way back.
The emphasis on public transport comes as the Songkran road toll has again spiked, with a further 79 deaths on Friday bringing the week's total to 338 so far. The toll for the so-called seven deadly days is expected to exceed last year's 364 fatalities.
Chanan Ruansangsom, head of Transport Co Ltd's bus operation department, said yesterday his company had worked hard to ensure there would be enough services to accommodate more than 170,000 passengers returning to the city.
The company has provided a total of 3,850 buses for passengers today while more than 1,000 extra buses are on standby, he said.
The Department of Land Transport chief Sanit Phromwong said a fleet of 10 buses would provide free shuttle services for revellers until tomorrow. The buses will run from the DLT office in Chatuchak to Mor Chit via Victory Monument.
The free services are part of a joint campaign between the DLT and Transport Co Ltd. It is aimed at facilitating passenger travel and protecting them from being taken advantage of by taxi drivers, Mr Sanit said.
Tanongsak Pongpasert, the State Railway of Thailand's acting traffic manager of the Traffic Department, said yesterday about 100,000 people were expected to use railway services to return to Bangkok.
He had ordered his subordinates to increase services until tomorrow but he did not give the exact number of trips his department would provide to cater to passengers' needs. As for the southern routes, Mr Tanongsak said he had ordered security officers in his department to undertake tough security measures to help reduce the risk of violence.
He has sought assistance from police and the military to have officers assigned at violence-prone areas in the South.
Don Mueang airport general manager Phet Chan-charoen said today would be one of the year's busiest, with more than 100,000 passengers expected to return to Bangkok. A total of 693 domestic flights are scheduled to arrive at the airport today.
Mr Phet said the Taxi Cooperative has been asked to increase their services at the airport today.
Transport Co Ltd is set to provide extra buses to accommodate passengers going into the city centre, he added.
Pol Lt Col Apisek Pisano, an inspector with Don Mueang Tourist Police, said four teams of officers will be stationed at different parts of the airport to provide assistance to passengers.
They have been asked to take care of passengers in the terminal, guard the taxi stand, oversee cases involving missing persons and lost items, and assist passengers who want to use train services.
The police said they would continue to monitor driver behaviour as vehicles stream back to the city.
More than 80,000 people have been arrested for drink-driving and more than 4,000 vehicles have been seized in the past week, National Council for Peace and Order spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong said.
A total of 50,271 motorcycle riders and 31,270 drivers are facing legal action following arrests over the past seven days, she added.
She said 3,488 motorcycles and 1,121 cars from those who had violated traffic regulations had been impounded.