Thongplew Kongchan also said on Wednesday the department had set up 117 “public service centres” where travellers could find drinking water, snacks and clean toilets.

Established in response to Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister Grisada Boonrach’s directive to state agencies to make sure Songkran holidaymakers have all they need, the centres are at the department’s branch offices, irrigation projects and equipment depots along both main and secondary roads.

They’ll be open from April 12-17, daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Thongplew said.

“People can make a pit stop to rest and freshen up. It should also help prevent accidents,” he said.