Without Songkran traffic, vehicles on highways down 44 per cent
The Department of Highways has said that people travelling outside Bangkok on highways has reduced by 44 per cent. To prevent outbreaks of Covid-19, the government has issued measures that have reduced public movement outdoors. Vehicles exiting Bangkok via highways is 44 per cent lower compared to the Songkran festival last year.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said he had ordered the Department of Highways to closely monitor the situation of people travelling outside the capital or returning home in this period although the government has announced the cancellation of holidays for the Songkran festival along with campaigning for people to stay home to prevent Covid-19 from spreading.
The number of vehicles departing Bangkok via main highways and motorways on Saturday was 408,706, 33 per cent less than during the normal period and 44 per cent lower compared to the Songkran festival exodus in 2019.
There were 37 accidents on April 10, down 81 per cent compared to the same day last year. There were five deaths on April 10, which is 87 per cent lesser than last year, and 24 injuries, down 89 per cent.
