Thailand’s airlines offer extra flights to serve demand during Songkran festival. (Photo: thailand.prd.go.th) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s airlines are wooing Songkran travellers withadditional flights and ticket discounts in expectation of strong demand duringthe annual water festival holiday.
Thai Airways International (THAI) has announced that it willadd more return flights between Bangkok and Phuket and Chiang Mai from April12-16, except for April 14. The extra flights will fly out of Suvarnabhumiairport.
THAI is not alone in attempting to tap into the travel boomduring the long holiday. Thai AirAsia has announced the addition of a dailyflight from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai and return on April 11 and on April 15-16.The budget airline will add an extra flight from Don Mueang to Phuket on April12, 15 and 16, and a return flight to Khon Kaen on April 15 and 16.
Its rival Nok Air will add one flight on theChiang Mai route on April 11 and 12 and another to Phuket on April11-12 and April 15-16. The return legs are slated for the following day.
Thai Lion Air will also add one flight on the DonMueang-Krabi and Don Mueang-Ubon Ratchathani routes on April 11, 12 and 16,while Thai Vietjet is offering a 20% discount on all domestic routes.
Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreangkit had earlierpublicly urged airlines to lower fares on domestic flights, especiallyduring the Songkran festival. The airlines promised to reduce the price and addmore seats during the holiday period.
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a special budget of 104.87million THB (more than 2.9 million USD) for holding the “Maha Songkran World WaterFestival” in Bangkok and some key provinces in mid-April.
The festival is expected help Thailand becomeone of the top 10 nations with the best festivals that capture the interest ofboth Thais and foreigners.
On December6, 2023, UNESCO inscribed "Songkran in Thailand, Traditional Thai New YearFestival" on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritageof Humanity. This recognition highlights the significance of Songkran as acultural practice that transcends mere celebration and embodies importantsocial values and traditions.
This year’sSongkran celebration will run from April 11-15, however, welcoming activitieswill kick off on April 1.
During thefestival, celebrants can also join almsgiving to Buddhist monks and perform thetraditional pouring of water on the hands of the elderly and on Buddha images.The Ministry of Tourism expects the Songkran festival to attract more than200,000 people and generate some 3.13 billion THB in revenue.
In addition to activities during the mega festival, Thailandwill also implement many policies such as visa exemption, value-added taxrefund, new health insurance programmes for international visitors with thehighest payment up to 1 million THB in an attempt to attract about 35 millioninternational visitors this year./.
