BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to launch Songkran celebrations in 16 major provinces nationwide, focusing on cultural uniqueness of each area in line with the government’s cultural promotion policy.
Ms Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, stated that the Grand Songkran Festival 2015 will take place from April 11 to 20 in 20 locations of 16 provinces, such as Bangkok, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Surat Thani, Phuket, Songkhla and Samut Songkhram.
According to the Deputy Governor, the event will be divided into two parts. One will be in compliance with the government’s Discover Thainess campaign, featuring traditional celebrations for Songkran and highlighting local cultural identity.
The other part will provide an alternative for revelers to enjoy the fun in water-splashing activities in eight designated areas, including Khao San Road and Silom Road in Bangkok, roads along the city moat of Chiang Mai, Khao Niao Road in Khon Kaen, Patong Beach in Phuket and Niphat Uthit Road in Hat Yai, Songkhla.
The TAT estimates the tourist number during the Songkran holiday between April 11 and 15 at nearly 2.63 million, an increase of 12 percent, generating about 14.5 billion baht in revenue. The number of foreigners is also projected to rise 39 percent to 470,000, thanks to recovery in the East Asian and ASEAN markets.
