Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, led a meeting to strategize for the influx of travelers during the New Year’s holiday in 2026. The session included key figures like Mr. Chayatham Promsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, and other officials from the Ministry and its associated agencies.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pipat outlined that the upcoming New Year festival will feature a five-day long weekend, from December 31, 2025, to January 4, 2026. This extended holiday is expected to lead to 21.55 million public transport trips within Bangkok, marking a 2.83% increase from the previous year. Interprovincial trips are projected at 3.99 million, an 8.57% rise from 2025. The Ministry has also forecasted significant traffic on major highways, with an estimated 11.28 million vehicles on expressways and 17.87 million on other routes during the festival. The anticipated outbound traffic on key highways is about 3.65 million vehicles, a 3.67% increase, while inbound traffic is expected to reach 3.48 million vehicles, a 6.60% increase.
Mr. Pipat emphasized the need for travelers to plan their journeys to avoid congestion, especially during peak times from December 30, 2025, to January 1, 2026. He advised those traveling over 300 kilometers from Bangkok to leave early in the holiday period and those with closer destinations to stagger their travel times to avoid peak traffic. The Ministry is advocating for travel outside the peak hours of 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM to distribute traffic more evenly.
The Ministry of Transport has introduced a comprehensive plan comprising three dimensions and seven measures aimed at enhancing safety and facilitating travel. These include stricter enforcement of traffic laws, alcohol and drug testing for drivers, and improved road safety measures. Free vehicle inspections and the integration of 150 service points nationwide are part of the effort to ensure safety and smooth travel.
In a bid to facilitate travel, the Ministry, along with the Department of Highways and the Expressway Authority of Thailand, will offer toll exemptions on selected expressways and motorways from December 30, 2025, to January 5, 2026. The strategic opening of additional lanes and temporary traffic measures are also planned to manage traffic flow effectively.
Mr. Pipat highlighted additional measures, including the installation of warning signs in construction zones, adjustments to hazardous areas, and increased public transport capacity. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand is tasked with fare control and potential fare reductions, while the Marine Department will focus on passenger safety at piers. Moreover, public awareness campaigns about toll exemptions and safety measures are to be intensified.
Finally, the plan stresses the need for proactive traffic management, the deployment of mobile service units, and collaboration with trucking companies to minimize road use during peak times. All agencies are committed to closely monitoring traffic and implementing measures to ensure a safe and efficient travel experience during the festive season.