"routes"

Roads across Thailand were busy on Sunday as people began heading back to Bangkok after the New Year break.

The Department of Rural Roads on Saturday recommended eight routes to avoid traffic jams during the New Year festival.

In a bid to avoid congestion and ensure smooth travel between provinces, the Department of Highways on Thursday released details of new routes from Bangkok motorists can take during the New Year holidays.

It is being called the “Andaman ring”, new proposed routes connecting Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi with a modern fleet of ferries which the authorities say will cut journey times and help cater for expanding tourism in the region.

Phnom Penh is now home to a water ferry that launched on April 6, joining its regional neighbor Bangkok in running a public boat service that stops at various locations in and around the capital.