Bangkok and Three Nearby Provinces Get Two-Day Flood Holiday as Expressway Tolls Are Waived

The government declared September 28 and 29 special public holidays in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan because of severe flooding and travel difficulties. Government agencies must continue offering online services, while state enterprises, banks, hospitals and private businesses can determine their own operating arrangements. The Expressway Authority of Thailand also extended free travel on all eight of its expressways until midnight on September 29. The toll exemption originally began on September 26 as authorities looked for ways to reduce congestion on flooded surface roads. Officials said the measures are intended to make travel easier and keep unnecessary vehicles away from badly affected areas.

These measures make sense given the flooding and difficult road conditions. Waiving expressway tolls should help reduce congestion, while the extra holidays may keep some traffic off the flooded roads. Hopefully the situation improves quickly.