Shipping Deadlines: Beating the Songkran Shutdown

Songkran (typically April 13-15) is not just a three-day break. In practice, domestic logistics often slow down five days before and five days after the official holidays.

 

The 'Ghost' Logistics Week

Many drivers and warehouse staff take additional leave to travel to their home provinces. This means:

• Last-Mile Delivery: Expect delays starting as early as April 8th.
• Heavy Freight: Moving containers to or from Laem Chabang Port becomes significantly more expensive and difficult to book during the holiday week.

 

Your April Action Plan

1. Inventory Buffer: Increase your stock of raw materials or finished goods locally by April 5th.
2. Customer Communication: Inform your clients now that orders placed after April 10th will likely not be shipped until April 20th.
3. Emergency Courier: Identify which courier services (like DHL or FedEx) maintain 24/7 "Critical" service lines during the holiday, even at a premium cost.

 

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Related Service: Logistics & Customs Clearance — Emergency shipping support and holiday planning.