Increase in Thais travelling abroad for New Year
More than 1.9 million Thai people travelled overseas for the New Year, a 3.8 per cent increase over the previous year.
Overseas travellers totalled 1,944,220 people, up 3.87 per cent over last year but 2.16 per cent below its estimate. Travellers between provinces totalled 4,298,626 people, down 6.35 per cent from last year and 7.98 below its estimate. Travel within Bangkok was 8,465,456 people, 3.54 per cent lower than last year, and 12.77 per cent lower than estimate.
The Transport Ministry said 14.7 million people used public transportation during the holiday period, down 3.48 per cent from the previous year.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Monday (January 6) that the number of accidents and deaths had decreased from the previous year. He has ordered all departments to conduct an in-depth analysis of the true causes of the accidents. If there were any shortcomings of the ministry such as road conditions or lack of safety equipment, it must be resolved.
The ministry said the number of people using public transport between December 27, 2019 and January 2, 2020 was 10.11 per cent below its estimate.