Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport welcomes more int'l travelers

SAMUT PRAKAN, THAILAND, April 4 (TNA) - Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport now welcomes more international travelers, after the revocation of the emergency decree in Bangkok and its peripheral provinces recently, as the traditional Thai New Year, or Songkran, Festival, in mid-April is approaching. Suvarnabhumi International Airport Director Raweewan Netarakavesana told journalists that the lifting of the emergency decree by the caretaker government has boosted the number of international visitors, through the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, by 4 per cent, as several countries have reduced levels of travel warnings against Thailand for their citizens. Raweewan assessed that the number of passengers using the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, both Thais and foreigners, should increase by about 32,000 during the upcoming Songkran Festival, from April 9-18. Raweewan acknowledged that global airlines have, in the meantime, sought the Suvarnabhumi International Airport's approval of their increased flights, 210 interntional and 20 domestic ones. Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said he also ordered agencies concerned to prepare measures to handle crowds of inter-provincial travelers across the country during the Songkran Festival, aimed to reduce road accidents and better facilitate the travelers, covering ensuring sufficient taxis and passenger buses at airports, as well as at bus and electric train terminals to serve a surge of demand during the period. Permanent Secretary for Trasport Somchai Siriwattanachoke projected that up to about 10 million people should use public transport services in Bangkok during the Songkran Festival, as about 4.1 million of them are expected to leave the capital for their hometowns in provincial areas for a reunion with their families, noting that, like previous years, motor way and expressway fees to the eastern Thai region will be waived during the forthcoming traditional Thai New Year Festival. Meanwhile, all parties in major tourist destinations in Thailand have prepared for welcoming international tourists during the traditional Thai New Year celebrations, with seaside Rayong Province in the Thai East and Hat Yai of Songkhla Province in the Thai South, for instance, launching their "big cleaning" event, among other activities, as part of their prepared plans to woo international visitors. Jointly organised by all local sectors, the Hat Yai Midnight Songkran Festival will be held from April 11-13, during which at least 50 million baht are expected to be spent by international visitors. (TNA)