Songkran revellers return to capital

BANGKOK: -- Officially Songkran, Thailand's traditional new year, ended Sunday and streams of traffic began pouring back to the capital, while passengers crowded into bus and railway stations around the kingdom.

After Sunday's conclusion of Songkran, large numbers of people began returning to Bangkok early Monday morning although employees of many government agencies and companies had two more days of holiday.

Traffic around many bus terminals and the capital's main railway station at times came to a standstill. Traffic at Morchit's Northern and Northeastern bus terminals moved very slowly, sometimes stopped bumper to bumper in almost one-kilometre-long lines.

Many travellers said that they came back to the city early to avoid an even worse exodus on Tuesday.

Likewise, at Bangkok's Hualampong Railway Station, large groups of passengers arrived from different provinces after their family festivities.

Meanwhile, a large number of soldiers, police and security guards were assigned to patrol the railway station and check passengers' luggage so as to boost commuter confidence.

After announcing the formal conclusion of Songkran at 7 pm, officials still needed several hours to force tourists out of crowded Khao San Road in Bangkok's Banglumphu district, the capital's most popular venue for celebrating Songkran.

Afterwards, some 100 street sweepers were assigned to clean the street and collect trash -- including plastic bottles, styrofoam boxes and empty whisky or beer bottles. Some cleaners said that this year

was easier than last year because there was less talcum powder stains than before, due to a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) prohibition against bringing talcum powder into the Khao San area during the celebration.

Moreover during the three-day (April 13-15) Songkran festival, there was only some 40 tonnes of garbage per day, considerably less than last year.

The apparent cause was the BMA's ban against pick-up trucks loaded with Songkran celebrants entering the Khao San area. Only pedestrians were allowed to join the celebration in the area.

Tuesday, the government begins national merit-making ceremony through Sunday (April 22) to mark the 80th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Participating in the ceremony will be Thai people from all communities, religions and walks of life, including Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Hinduism.

His Majesty's birthday is on December 5.

--TNA 2007-04-16

More Thais depart kingdom by air for Songkran

BANGKOK: -- The number of Thais leaving the kingdom by air for overseas tours and holidays during the Songkran festival has more than doubled, a senior official said Monday.

Suvarnabhumi Airport director Serirat Prasutanond said as this year's Songkran water festival lasted five days, the number of Thais leaving the country for overseas holidays had risen sharply, while the number of foreigners arriving in Thailand remained virtually unchanged.

Normally, around 7,500 to 8,000 Thai nationals leave the country daily and about 25,000 foreigners depart Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport, said Mr. Serirat. But on April 11 about 11,000 Thais left the country and the number rose to around 18,000 the following day, he said.

Most Thais who had left for overseas tours are expected to return home Monday and Tuesday, he said. Government and most private offices reopen on Wednesday after a five-day holiday, which began last Friday.

--TNA 2007-04-16

More Thais depart kingdom by air for Songkran

BANGKOK: -- The number of Thais leaving the kingdom by air for overseas tours and holidays during the Songkran festival has more than doubled, a senior official said Monday.

Suvarnabhumi Airport director Serirat Prasutanond said as this year's Songkran water festival lasted five days, the number of Thais leaving the country for overseas holidays had risen sharply, while the number of foreigners arriving in Thailand remained virtually unchanged.

Normally, around 7,500 to 8,000 Thai nationals leave the country daily and about 25,000 foreigners depart Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport, said Mr. Serirat. But on April 11 about 11,000 Thais left the country and the number rose to around 18,000 the following day, he said.

Most Thais who had left for overseas tours are expected to return home Monday and Tuesday, he said. Government and most private offices reopen on Wednesday after a five-day holiday, which began last Friday.

--TNA 2007-04-16

so what is the difference? when i was in bangkok it was bumer to bumper for 2 kilometers on any given day. offensive driving is the most effective. no one honks horns anyway (exceptions to every rule)

sorry qouted the wrong post, meant to be OP but you get the drift...