The Songkran exodus has caused traffic congestion on Mitraparp Highway, the main route to the Northeast, especially in Pak Chong and Si Khiu districts of Nakhon Ratchasima.
The heavy traffic stretched about 30km long on the highway -- from tambon Pak Chong in Pak Chong district to tambon Khlong Phai of Si Khiu district -- on Thursday morning.
Pol Capt Pongsatorn Detnok, a highway police officer of Nakhon Ratchasima, said traffic volume was soaring on the highway, forcing them to open a reversible lane on a 11km section from tambon Nong Sarai of Pak Chong to tambon Lat Bua Khao of Si Khiu to relieve the congestion.
He expected the traffic jam to continue until Friday.
Traffic was also slow on a 10km section on a bypass of downtown Nakhon Ratchasima -- from an interchange at Pak Thong Chai intersection in tambon Nai Muang to another interchange in tambon Jor Hor of Muang district.
Meanwhile, northbound traffic was building up on Highway 32, or Asian Highway, in Chai Nat province as many vehicles served families' travel. Although a gridlock had not occurred there, it was expected Friday afternoon, local highway officials said.
