SONGKHLA: A special train from Malaysia has brought some 400 holidaymakers to join locals in celebrating the Thai New Year in Hat Yai district.
The My Sawasdee train arrived at Hat Yai station at 9am on Friday, carrying over 400 passengers who embarked on an 11-hour ride from Kuala Lumpur. The train left the Malaysian capital at 10.30pm on Thursday.
The passengers plan to spend the weekend participating in the annual water splashing festival in the southern city before returning to Kuala Lumpur at 10.20am on Sunday.
My Sawasdee is a special train aimed at promoting tourism in southern Thailand. The Malaysian train authority will run seven more trips this year.
Songkran celebrations in Hat Yai started on Thursday night, with tourists from Malaysia and Singapore joining locals in the vibrant event.
- Read more: Songkran happenings all over the country
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thai tourism is expected to earn 614 billion baht in revenue as domestic trips exceed the first-quarter tally thanks to Songkran events this month.
Holidaymakers and residents throng the Hat Yai municipality in Songkhla province on Thursday, as the city prepares for the Songkran festival. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
