BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Transport’s Safety Operations Center has reported that public transportation systems nationwide met travel demand during the first three days of the New Year 2026 holiday, with over 8.26 million passengers recorded from December 30, 2025, to January 1, 2026, about 3.9 percent fewer than the same period last year.
Domestic travel accounted for more than 7.45 million passengers, with rail services recording the highest share of usage. Outbound air travel was strongest in the central region, while rail remained the leading mode in the southern and northern regions. Road transport recorded the highest usage in the northeastern and eastern regions. International public transport served just over 809,000 passengers, down 4.6 percent year on year. Traffic volumes on major highways and Bangkok expressways also declined.
Nationwide safety inspections were carried out across all transport modes. Authorities inspected more than 47,000 buses across 222 checkpoints, and a small number were ordered to undergo repairs or replacement. Rail inspections found no alcohol or narcotics among personnel. Water transport inspections covered more than 2,700 vessels, all of which complied after defective boats were ordered repaired, and no substance violations were detected among crews.
Road safety remained a concern despite lower travel volumes. During the three-day period, authorities recorded 684 road accidents, resulting in 774 injuries and 91 deaths. Speeding was the leading cause, and motorcycles were the most commonly involved vehicles. Most crashes occurred on straight road sections. Bangkok, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima recorded the highest number of fatalities, while Suphan Buri reported the most accidents. Compared with the same period last year, accidents, injuries, and deaths all declined.
Rail transport recorded six accidents with one injury, while no accidents were reported in water or air transport. To support holiday travel, the State Railway of Thailand added special train services on major routes, and additional buses were deployed at Bangkok’s main bus terminal, with no passengers left stranded. (NNT)
