BANGKOK, Thailand – The first day of the long holiday (December 28) saw increasing traffic congestion on the roads leading out of Bangkok toward the northeastern region (Isaan). Traffic on major highways, such as Mittraphap Road in Pak Chong and Phahonyothin Road heading into Nakhon Ratchasima, started to build up last night and continued into the morning.
On Mittraphap Road, traffic in the area near Klang Dong subdistrict in Pak Chong district slowed but continued to move steadily. Similarly, vehicles on Phahonyothin Road heading into Nong Khae district, Saraburi, were heavy, though not completely stalled, with some sections seeing minor delays since last night. To alleviate the congestion, the Department of Highways opened a special lane under the Mittraphap Bridge.
Further along Mittraphap Road, near Thap Kwang Hill in Kaeng Khoi district, vehicles slowed on the uphill section until they reached the next point in Muak Lek, Nakhon Ratchasima. To manage traffic more efficiently, the Saraburi Highway Department, in collaboration with the Highway Police, opened special lanes between kilometers 17 and 35 to prevent buildup.
In the early morning, traffic continued to increase on Mittraphap Road, near Klang Dong, Pak Chong, with some sections becoming quite congested, especially at kilometers 47-48, near Rai Suwan. To improve flow, the Highway Police opened an additional reverse lane, starting from kilometer 15 in Thap Kwang to kilometer 43 in Pak Chong.
Meanwhile, traffic on Highway 32, also known as Asia Road, heading toward the northern provinces, was heavy, especially in Chai Nat province. Vehicles in the area near Chai Nat Interchange were moving slowly, with traffic reaching up to 3,500 cars per hour. Some sections saw a reduction in speed to 40-50 km/h due to narrow roads and sharp curves. At the Uthaphao rest area, an accident involving four vehicles occurred, contributing to the congestion. Police are advising drivers to be cautious.
To help improve traffic flow during the New Year holiday period, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced the implementation of special measures. They have waived toll fees for certain expressways, including the Burapha Withi and Kanchanaphisek expressways from December 26 to January 2, and will continue to provide support and ensure safety for travelers throughout the holiday season.
