Thailand Expressway Authority (TEA), a subdivision of the Ministry of Transport, has recently made a welcoming decision that is keyed towards making the annual commemoration of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s passing, more convenient for travelers. Respected and loved deeply by the people of Thailand, the revered King Rama IX, leaves an indelible mark on the fabric of the Thai society. As a means to honour the late monarch’s memory, the government has declared October 13th a public holiday as the nation remembers with reverence his immense contributions to the society.
In line with this observance, the TEA has decided to offer its services for the day without any charge. The authority announced that it will waive the toll charges on its three major expressways, starting from 12:01am to midnight. The three main routes that will be made toll-free are the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway or the First Stage Expressway with 19 toll collections; Si Rat Expressway or the Second Stage Expressway with 31 toll collections; and the Udon Ratthaya Expressway covering Bang Pa-In – Pak Kret with 10 toll collections. This would cover a total of 60 toll gates making it easy for the public to travel seamlessly on this day of significant national importance.
This gesture from the TEA is expected to bring respite to many travelers who are expected to be on the move during this holiday. Anticipating increased travel activity, the decision to waive the toll charges is a part of TEA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the overall travel experience for the public. This indeed is a praiseworthy initiative, lending the needed support to the public on such occasions of high importance reports Sanook.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, known affectionately as the “Father of Thailand”, who had an impressive reign of over 70 years is the world’s longest-serving head of state. Born on US soil, the King stepped into his royal role following the sudden demise of his elder brother. His tenure saw Thailand evolve into a constitutional monarchy and witnessed a handful of military coups. King Bhumibol’s steady leadership and influential interventions were responsible for steering Thailand towards civilian-led democracy during times of political unrest.
The revered king passed away in 2016 leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to be cherished by the people of Thailand. His coronation was held posthumously in 2019. On this solemn day of remembrance, the nation of Thailand pays its respects to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, echoing his timeless legacy in the hearts and minds of the people.
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