Tourists are streaming into the northern province of Chiang Mai for New Year countdown celebrations amid the chilly winter air.
Chiang Mai International Airport is bustling with passengers who have traveled to Chiang Mai, whether returning home for the year-end or tourists waiting to celebrate the New Year countdown.
While inspecting Chiang Mai International Airport, president of the Airports of Thailand pcl. Kerati Kijmanawat said he expects that from Dec 29 until January 4 next year, there will be more than 180,000 passengers, averaging over 24,000 passengers per day.
There will be more than 1,200 flights, averaging 176 flights per day. The number of passengers is expected to increase by 6%, and flights will increase by 12% compared to the same period last year.
As there may be a peak of up to 27,000 to 30,000 passengers per day, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure due to the high passenger volume.
Meanwhile, the roads leading to Chiang Mai are experiencing increased traffic as tourists begin to arrive, causing congestion in the city.
The same situation is observed at Chiang Mai Railway Station and the Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal, crowded with passengers.
Transport officials report a 30% increase in passengers and bus trips during this period, especially on the Chiang Mai-Bangkok route, which has increased from 68 to 88 trips per day. (TNA)
