BANGKOK, March 24 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said it has poured Bt20 million into organising Songkran Festival celebrations in 13 major cities nationwide to boost the country’s tourism industry.
Wilaiwan Twitsri, TAT deputy governor for Goods and Tourism Division, said the 13 locations are in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Nong Kai, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Bangkok, Phra Pradang, Phuket, Samui Island, Hat Yai, Pattaya and Suphanburi.
The theme of this year’s celebration is to give importance of water on Thai people’s daily life, from birth to death, as well as, focus on the family gathering on to celebrate Thai New Year.
Following concern that political chaos could lead to visitors staying away, Ms Wilaiwan said TAT has instructed offices abroad to clarify the issue that there are still many places to celebrate Songkran and Bangkok is not the only place.
She said this year’s Songkran celebration has received good feedback with 70 per cent of tour bookings in the northern region. Full booking is expected during Songkran period.
The TAT deputy governor said Thailand targets 4.4 million tourists during Songkran — 4 million Thais and 400,000 foreign visitors — with about Bt47 billion to be circulated.
Regarding the controversial Songkran Festival 2014 planned in Singapore, Ms Wilaiwan said the event is not a problem to Thai tourism industry and it can be positive aspect helping to promote the Thai festival abroad.
Ms Wilaiwan noted that the event is organised by private organisers and not opened for public for free.
Meanwhile, Sa-nga Ruangwattanakul, president of Khao San Road Business Association, said despite the emergency decree being lifted, less tourists are expected to join the festival at Khaosan Road which is set for April 12-15 this year.
The association president said it will take time to regain confidence from foreign tourists to reach the same level of their presence during Songkran last year, adding that tour bookings were at 80 per cent in 2013 Songkran festival, while this year, as of now only 50 per cent have made reservations.
Ms Sa-nga said those who are able to decide to visit Thailand right away are Asian tourists, while it takes a longer time for European tourist to plan their vacations here.
