The Highways Department is recommending alternative routes for motorists who want to leave Bangkok to celebrate the Songkran festival next week.
The department’s director-general, Sarawut Songsivilai, said that department is ready to help motorists to travel safely and conveniently between April 11th and 17th.
The department expects about seven million vehicles to travel during the seven-day period, about a 5.3% increase from last year. The highest number of vehicles leaving Bangkok is expected on April 12th, when more than 640,000 are expected. On the return trip, about 610,000 vehicles are anticipated on April 16th.
Eight routes from Bangkok to the north are recommended. These include:
- Route 1 from Bangkok to Rangsit, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Manorom district to Nakhon Sawan.
- Route 2 from Bangkok to Nonthaburi on to Suphan Buri, Chainat and towards Nakhon Sawan.
- Route 3 from Bangkok to Rangsit, Wang Noi district, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Tak Fah district, Phitsanuloke, Phichit, Sukhothai and Uttaradit.
- Route 4 from Bangkok to Rangsit on to Chiang Rak Noi into Highway 347 and 32 to the north.
- Route 5 from Bangkok to the Eastern ring road, Wang Noi district, Highway 309 and Highway 32 towards the north.
- Route 6 from Bangkok to the Eastern ring road, Highway 3214, 347 into Bang Pahan district of Ayutthaya and towards the north.
- Route 7 from Bangkok to Udon Ratthaya expressway through Bang Pa-in onto Highway 347 toward Bang Pahan district.
- Route 8 from Bangkok to Udon Ratthaya expressway towards Thammasat University Rangsit campus onto Highway 347 toward Bang Pa-in.
Three routes to the south:
- From Bangkok to Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
- From Bangkok to Samphran district of Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
- From Bangkok via Borommaratchachonnani Road to Nakhon Chai Sri district, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Five routes to the north-east:
- Route 1 from Bangkok to Saraburi, using Highways 2256, 2148 and 2 into Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Route 2 from Bangkok to Wang Noi district, Saraburi and Pak Chong district into Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Route 3 from Bangkok to Nakhon Nayok, Ban Na district, Khaeng Khoi district and Pak Chong district into Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Route 4 from Bangkok to Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham district, Kabin Buri district, Wang Nam Khieu district and Pak Thong Chai district into Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Route 4 from Bangkok to Wang Noi district, Saraburi, Pak Chong district, Si Khieu district and Highway 6 into Nakhon Ratchasima.
Four routes to the east:
- Route 1 from Bangkok to Chon Buri using Special Highway 7.
- Route 2 from Bangkok to Bang Pakong using Highway 34 and on to Chon Buri using Highway 3.
- Route 3 from Bangkok to Phanat Nikhom district and Chon Buri using Highway 304.
- Route 4 from Bangkok using the Bang Na-Chon Buri elevated highway and on to Chon Buri using Highway 3.
