Bangkok: During the Songkran Festival, Don Mueang Airport experienced a 10% increase in passenger traffic, with an average of 100,000 passengers passing through daily. Of these, 40,000 were domestic travelers, while 60,000 were international passengers. To enhance the travel experience, passengers have been encouraged to utilize biometric facial scanning for expedited processing. In a festive gesture, the airport is gifting “bouncy pig dolls” to travelers in celebration of the Thai New Year.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Keerati Kitimanawat, President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), conducted an inspection of the airport’s services and safety measures during the Songkran Festival 2025 at Don Mueang Airport. This initiative aims to assure travelers of the airport’s readiness. On April 12, the second day of the Songkran travel period, the airport accommodated around 100,000 passengers, divided into 40,000 domestic and 60,000 international travelers. Notably, over 4,000 flights were managed, prompting AOT to increase staff at biometric scanning points by 30% to reduce wait times. It is anticipated that the airport will handle over 700,000 passengers during the 7-day festival period, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.
Notably, the recent earthquake in Myanmar and global economic uncertainties have not deterred tourists from visiting Thailand. While the number of Chinese tourists has declined, there has been an uptick in visitors from India and Europe, resulting in an 8% increase in foreign tourists during Songkran. This underscores Thailand’s enduring appeal as a major tourist destination.
Preparations have been made for passenger returns post-Songkran, particularly on April 15-16. Don Mueang Airport has arranged additional taxis and public transport to accommodate the influx. Reports indicate that the airport was less crowded than the previous day, with efficient check-in processes.
Passengers receiving AOT bouncy pig dolls as souvenirs have expressed delight, appreciating the gesture as a symbol of good fortune for the year 2025. Both Thai and international travelers have cherished the bouncy pig dolls as a memorable keepsake from their journey.