Pattaya, Bangkok, Chonburi, Naklua, Beach Road Brace for Songkran 2025 Travel Surge as Thailand Waives New Expressway Tolls to Boost Coastal Tourism - Travel And Tour World (2025)

Friday, April 11, 2025

In a bold move set to redefine travel behavior during Thailand’s most festive season, authorities have confirmed that five major expressways will be toll-free during Songkran 2025, allowing easier and more affordable access to the country’s top coastal destinations—including Pattaya. The decision is already impacting the travel landscape, fueling an unprecedented surge in hotel bookings, event planning, and cross-regional tourism across the Gulf of Thailand.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), under the leadership of Governor Surachet Laopoolsuk, made the announcement as part of the Ministry of Transport’s wider campaign, “Songkran – Festival of Happiness, Safe Travels Everywhere in Thailand.” As travelers from Bangkok and beyond prepare to head out for the Thai New Year holiday, the announcement has positioned Pattaya at the center of this year’s celebratory migration.

Free Expressway Access Fuels Tourism Momentum

From April 11 to 17, motorists will enjoy seven full days of toll-free travel on two major coastal routes: the Burapha Withi Expressway (Bang Na–Chonburi) and the Kanchanaphisek Expressway (Bang Phli–Suksawat). Additionally, from April 13 to 15, drivers will benefit from waived tolls on three inner-city connectors: the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway, the Si Rat Expressway, and the Udon Ratthaya Expressway.

This strategic toll exemption aims to reduce congestion, lower fuel consumption, and offer financial relief to millions expected to travel over the holiday. It also directly encourages domestic tourism to Pattaya, Hua Hin, and eastern seaboard cities where Songkran’s signature water wars are in full swing.

Pattaya’s Hotel Sector Approaches Capacity

Pattaya, known for its vibrant nightlife and beachside culture, is now experiencing what hoteliers are calling the most intense Songkran demand spike since 2019. From Walking Street to Naklua, and along the famous Beach Road, accommodation providers report bookings nearing capacity.

As of early April, resort operators and boutique hotel managers have confirmed that up to 95% of rooms are booked, particularly for the peak celebration window from April 13 to April 19. This has triggered a secondary wave of bookings in adjacent areas like Jomtien, Bang Saray, and even Sattahip, as travelers look for alternative stays within short driving distance to central Pattaya.

Massive Water Celebrations to Flood Pattaya’s Streets

The Songkran celebration in Pattaya traditionally peaks later than in Bangkok, with the grand finale landing on April 19. This extended window gives travelers more reason to choose Pattaya, where the holiday’s spirit stretches beyond its official public holiday dates.

Events scheduled across Beach Road, Central Pattaya, and Naklua promise live music stages, dance zones, foam parties, cultural parades, and massive water-splashing corridors. Local businesses, bars, and restaurants are coordinating with tourism authorities to ensure crowd control, sanitation, and safety measures.

For international and domestic visitors, Pattaya offers a more immersive—and often more playful—Songkran experience compared to temple-focused ceremonies elsewhere in the country. The city’s readiness, paired with a streamlined expressway network, ensures the journey is part of the celebration.

Transport Policy as a Catalyst for Regional Tourism

By waiving expressway fees during such a high-demand period, the Thai government is not only reducing direct travel costs but also signaling a long-term strategy to decentralize tourism away from Bangkok and into regional hotspots like Pattaya.

In a statement, EXAT officials noted that such infrastructure policies are part of a broader vision to “stimulate regional economies, improve traffic efficiency, and support cultural tourism.” This year’s Songkran thus becomes both a test and a showcase of Thailand’s evolving transport-tourism nexus.

Travel Sector Watch: Trends to Monitor During Songkran 2025

As travel to Pattaya intensifies, tourism stakeholders are watching for several key developments:

• Traffic volumes on the Burapha Withi Expressway, historically the main artery to Chonburi and Pattaya
• Spending patterns across entertainment, wellness, and F&B sectors during the extended holiday
• Traveler demographics, with notable growth in domestic family groups and regional ASEAN tourists
• Digital tourism services like e-bookings for toll passes, hotel aggregation apps, and last-mile shuttles

Additionally, Pattaya’s public transport system, including songthaews and rideshare services, is bracing for high volumes. Local authorities have deployed additional traffic police and opened temporary tourist assistance centers to manage the flow and ensure smooth visitor experiences.

The Global Effect: Thailand Reinforces Its Status as a Festive Travel Powerhouse

Globally, Thailand’s handling of Songkran 2025 is being viewed as a masterclass in festival-driven destination marketing. Pattaya, once mainly known for its nightlife, is now emerging as a multifaceted cultural-tourism hub, thanks in part to city-wide coordination and national travel policy support.

In Europe, agencies that specialize in long-haul festival tours have already flagged Pattaya as a priority location for next year’s Songkran bookings. Meanwhile, neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam are expected to see an uptick in outbound travel to Pattaya during the extended holiday.

Travel analysts believe that if this year’s toll-free infrastructure model proves effective, similar initiatives could be replicated during other peak holiday periods like Loy Krathong and Chinese New Year, making domestic travel more fluid and affordable year-round.

A Preview of Pattaya’s Role in Thailand’s Tourism Future

The Songkran 2025 wave affirms what many tourism planners have already envisioned—Pattaya is no longer a seasonal destination. With revamped infrastructure, family-friendly attractions, emerging luxury resorts, and a strong digital tourism footprint, the city is positioning itself as a permanent pillar in Thailand’s tourism triangle, alongside Bangkok and Phuket.

And if expressway access remains free or discounted during peak seasons, Pattaya’s popularity is likely to skyrocket not just during Songkran, but throughout the year.

Key Takeaways for Travelers and Tourism Businesses

• Toll-free expressways from April 11–17 are encouraging mass departures from Bangkok to Pattaya
• Pattaya hotels are nearing full capacity, especially around April 13–19
• Extended Songkran celebrations offer tourists a longer festive experience
• Local authorities are focusing on safety, crowd management, and tourism service enhancements
• Travel agencies may replicate similar models for other holidays if this strategy proves successful

Pattaya Prepares for Its Biggest Travel Moment Yet

Songkran 2025 is shaping up to be a defining moment for Pattaya’s travel sector. With expressways cleared, streets flooded in celebration, and accommodations brimming with tourists, the city is primed to deliver one of the most memorable Thai New Years on record.

For travelers planning their journey or businesses preparing for the boom, one thing is clear: Pattaya is no longer just a destination—it’s the face of Thailand’s new era of smart, festive, and accessible travel.