TOURISM OFFICIALS EXPECT OVER 24 BILLION BAHT DURING SONGKRAN

TOURISM OFFICIALS EXPECT OVER 24 BILLION BAHT DURING SONGKRAN

Thailand’s tourism officials are hopeful this year’s Songkran holiday will generate 24.4 billion baht in revenue. The Tourism Authority of Thailand says the 5 day holiday should attract 510,000 foreign visitors and 4.29 million domestic trips.

The TAT says the domestic trips should generate around 15.6 billion baht, with Bangkok alone expecting 3.7 billion baht from 635,590 domestic trips. Meanwhile, international tourism is expected to result in 8.76 billion baht for the economy.

According to a Bangkok Post report, the TAT says most Thais will travel to their home provinces, whereas tourism in Bangkok will be driven primarily by foreign visitors.

This year’s special Maha Songkran World Water Festival will consist of 20 parades, showcasing Thai culture from all regions of the kingdom. A number of parades will feature actors from the Boy Love TV series.

Between January 1 and March 10 this year, Thailand welcomed 7.4 million foreign tourists, generating over 359 billion baht. Of those, the biggest market was China, with 1.36 Chinese tourists arriving, followed by 986,234 Malaysians, and 492,302 Russians.

According to Thailand’s tourism minister, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the growth in tourism numbers is being driven by various visa-free schemes and the recovery of international flights