Buses in Thailand packed as New Year revelers return home

BANGKOK, January 3 (TNA) - Buses from upcountry destined for the Thai capital of Bangkok are packed on Tuesday as holidaymakers return home after the New Year festival. The atmosphere at the bus terminal in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai is very crowded with people and tourists as they await their buses. More than 70 extra buses have been kept in reserve as it is estimated some 10,000 passengers will make their journey home on Tuesday. Stringent security measures are being enforced by the Pa Muang Task Force in Chiang Mai province, near the border with Myanmar, to prevent drug smuggling and fugitives from escaping the country. Meanwhile, traffic along the highways linking Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan, and between Phrae and Inburi which are major routes from northern Thailand to Bangkok is extremely busy early Tuesday. Phichit policemen have had to help direct traffic for motorists with an aim to ease the traffic and to also prevent car accidents. Although the South is encountering severe flooding, the bus terminal in Hat Yai district is still crowded. Tickets for all 36 buses leaving Hat Yai for Bangkok are sold out and bus officials have to provide 10 extra buses to cater passengers wishing to return to the capital. Surprisingly, bus officials said the number of this year’s New Year revelers is still lesser than the number of celebrants during the same period last year. (TNA)