Business
Songkran Splash 2023 Foretasted to Generate 18.5 Billion Baht in Revenue
Thailand’s Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that the Songkran splash 2023 will produce 18.5 billion baht in total revenue, with domestic trips exceeding the 2019 level due to pent-up demand.
Airports of Thailand expects 2.37 million passengers to pass through six international airports during the Songkran holiday next week, a 137% increase over the same time last year.
According to the Airports of Thailand, there will be 1.37 million international passengers, a 561% increase, and approximately one million domestic passengers, a 26% increase, at the six international airports it operates: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hat Yai.
The number of flights is also expected to grow 59% from last year to 14,220, with 7,500 international flights increasing 219% and 6,720 domestic flights increasing 2% year on year.
However, this figure is still lower than the pre-Covid era. During the Songkran holiday in 2019, there were 17,440 flights (9,480 foreign and 7,960 domestic) and 2.87 million passengers (1.74 million international and 1.13 million domestic).
The Sawasdee by Airports of Thailand app has been launched to assist festival visitors. Passengers can use the program to check the state of their flights, wait times at check-in, security, and immigration, and check the status of their baggage.
The Airports of Thailand also has kiosks at Suvarnabhumi airport where passengers can check in and load their luggage without having to stand in line at service counters.
Meanwhile, during the week-long Songkran holiday, the Department of Highways will waive tolls.
Tolls on two highways, Highway 7 (Bangkok-Pattaya) and Highway 9 (Bang Pa In-Bang Phli), will be cancelled from April 11 to 17, according to DoH Director-General Sarawut Songsivilai. From April 12 to 18, free tolls will also be applied to the motorway portions Phra Pradaeng-Bang Khae and Phra Pradaeng-Bang Khunthian.
The Department of Highways will open the new Motorway 6 from Pak Chong to Kham Thale So districts in Nakhon Ratchasima from April 12-14 on outbound routes and from April 15-18 on incoming routes.
Motorists can access real-time traffic information via the M-Traffic and Thailand Highway Traffic apps.
Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that many Thais are planning to return to their hometowns to enjoy Songkran after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
However, rising living and energy costs may force Thai visitors to adjust their budgets to meet their purchasing power, shortening their stay or choosing to journey to nearby destinations, he said.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand predicts that hotel occupancy will be 74% nationwide, with the southern area placing first at 80% due to popular beach destinations and the “We Travel Together” scheme, which helps to subsidize hotels for domestic travellers.
The northern region, which is still plagued by PM2.5 haze, is anticipated to have a 60% occupancy rate, according to the authority.
With 305,000 tourists coming during the Songkran holiday week, foreign tourism is expected to earn 5.03 billion baht, or 60% of the level in 2019. Revenue is expected to increase by 630% compared to last year, when Thailand was not completely open in the first half of the year.
Based on forward travel bookings previous to Songkran week, the Tourism Authority of Thailand anticipates that the majority of arrivals will be from short-haul markets such as India, Taiwan, China, and South Korea, as well as tourists from France and Russia.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated yesterday that City Hall would support steps to prevent drunk driving accidents and clashes among drinkers.
Mr Chadchart stated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and its network would work together to reduce mishaps for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is also encouraging people to organize alcohol-free events during the Songkran Festival, as it has prepared 35 sites in 24 districts for these, such as City Hall’s Lan Khon Muang Square and the walking street along the banks of the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, he added.
“We would like to request that no alcoholic beverages be brought to the events because we want the Songkran celebrations at these locations to be safe for all family members,” Chadchart said.
