I have a flight to Krabi at 5pm on the 13th. I realise this is the first day of BKKs Songkran festival. Coming from Pattaya by bus, how many hours is recommended to reach the airport during this time? I don't think the major partying and events are held around that area but who knows really?

Wish you a happy landing!

I drove to Don Muang yesterday from Banchang, Rayong. It took 3 hours, which was nearly an hour more than I had allowed. There was a slow crawl through road works on Highway 7 past Laem Chabang (although completely clear coming back) and the airport itself was an absolute nightmare, jammed up with traffic right back up the slip road off the raised tollway, so that it took 20 minutes to get from the tollway to the departure doors. I'm glad I wasn't planning to park at the airport because all the parks were full up.

If your bus is direct from Pattaya to Don Muang I would advise allowing 4 hours as an absolute minimum if the traffic is similar to yesterday.

Update: on bus to don meung from swampy and there is zero traffic. Same from Pattaya, no traffic.

That fits the expectations.

Bangkok on Songkran is deserted, evacuated

The last ones left yesterday