Migrant workers from Myanmar and Laos are flocking back to their home countries as they prepare to celebrate the Songkran festival.
In northern Tak province, between 12,000 and 13,000 Myanmar nationals -- double the normal daily figure -- have been crossing the border via the Mae Sot checkpoint to Myawaddy town every day.
The traditional new year water festival in Myanmar, similar to that held in Thailand each April, is known as Thingyan in Burmese.
Cross-border trade in Mae Sot has been flourishing in the past week as workers buy goods to bring home. Turnover has been estimated at 10 million baht a day at border markets.
In northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, many Lao workers have also been going home to celebrate Songkran. Many are taking leave until the end of April.
The government has allowed migrants from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia who have been working legally in the country to return to their home countries for the festival between April 5 and 30 without being charged exit fees, on the condition that they return to Thailand by April 30.