Songkran 2025 Set to Boost Thai Economy Amid Challenges

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

The eagerly anticipated Songkran festival in 2025 is projected to infuse a remarkable 26.5 billion Thai Baht into Thailand's economy. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this year's festival is expected to draw 476,000 international tourists alongside 4.4 million domestic travellers, bolstering both local and national economies.

 

From April 12th to 16th, international tourism is set to inject approximately 7.3 billion Baht, marking a 7% increase compared to last year. Meanwhile, domestic tourism is anticipated to bring in around 19.2 billion Baht, a 9% rise. Overall, total revenue from the festival could see an 8% uplift year-on-year, largely stimulated by the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, which enjoys government endorsement with extravagant celebrations planned across the country.

 

Challenges from East Asia

 

However, the festival's success faces significant hurdles, particularly with expectations of decreased attendance from mainland China and Hong Kong. Visits from these areas are projected to decline by 34% and 28% respectively. This dip is attributed largely to safety concerns in the wake of scams targeting Chinese tourists, which have been widely publicised.

 

Despite these concerns, positive signals are emerging from Europe, where tourist numbers are anticipated to grow by 23%. The coincidence of Songkran with the Easter holiday has encouraged a surge in forward air ticket bookings, especially from the UK, Germany, and Israel, already showing a 17% increase.

 

Regional Travel Encouragement

 

In contrast, regional tourism continues to thrive. Visitors travelling via land crossings from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries are projected to contribute significantly, with an anticipated 7% increase in tourism seen in these markets. Malaysia leads with an expected 81,000 visitors, potentially contributing a hefty 637 million Baht to the festival's coffers.

 

Remarkably, even with reduced numbers, Chinese tourists remain the top contributors financially, with an estimated 1.2 billion Baht in potential earnings.

 

Government Measures and Airline Initiatives

 

Earlier this month, the Thai cabinet sanctioned a 153 million Baht budget for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to support the festival, although this figure reflects a reduction from an initial proposal of 240 million Baht.

 

In a bid to boost domestic travel, the Transport Ministry has successfully encouraged leading low-cost airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet, to reduce fares by 30% on selected routes between April 11th and 17th. These measures are designed to make travel more affordable and ensure the festival's economic success.

 

As Songkran 2025 approaches, the festive spirit seems poised to overcome challenges, buoyed by savvy planning and regional enthusiasm, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-15

 

 

[ChrisY1]

I love this....the greatest wet T shirt show in the world:)))

[JoePai]

Everything boosts the Thai Economy - even the downturn in Chinky arrivals - bunch of muppets  !

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

The eagerly anticipated Songkran festival in 2025 is projected to infuse a remarkable 26.5 billion Thai Baht into Thailand's economy. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this year's festival is expected to draw 476,000 international tourists alongside 4.4 million domestic travellers, bolstering both local and national economies.

 

From April 12th to 16th, international tourism is set to inject approximately 7.3 billion Baht, marking a 7% increase compared to last year. Meanwhile, domestic tourism is anticipated to bring in around 19.2 billion Baht, a 9% rise. Overall, total revenue from the festival could see an 8% uplift year-on-year, largely stimulated by the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, which enjoys government endorsement with extravagant celebrations planned across the country.

 

Challenges from East Asia

 

However, the festival's success faces significant hurdles, particularly with expectations of decreased attendance from mainland China and Hong Kong. Visits from these areas are projected to decline by 34% and 28% respectively. This dip is attributed largely to safety concerns in the wake of scams targeting Chinese tourists, which have been widely publicised.

 

 

Despite these concerns, positive signals are emerging from Europe, where tourist numbers are anticipated to grow by 23%. The coincidence of Songkran with the Easter holiday has encouraged a surge in forward air ticket bookings, especially from the UK, Germany, and Israel, already showing a 17% increase.

 

Regional Travel Encouragement

 

In contrast, regional tourism continues to thrive. Visitors travelling via land crossings from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries are projected to contribute significantly, with an anticipated 7% increase in tourism seen in these markets. Malaysia leads with an expected 81,000 visitors, potentially contributing a hefty 637 million Baht to the festival's coffers.

 

Remarkably, even with reduced numbers, Chinese tourists remain the top contributors financially, with an estimated 1.2 billion Baht in potential earnings.

 

Government Measures and Airline Initiatives

 

Earlier this month, the Thai cabinet sanctioned a 153 million Baht budget for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to support the festival, although this figure reflects a reduction from an initial proposal of 240 million Baht.

 

In a bid to boost domestic travel, the Transport Ministry has successfully encouraged leading low-cost airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet, to reduce fares by 30% on selected routes between April 11th and 17th. These measures are designed to make travel more affordable and ensure the festival's economic success.

 

As Songkran 2025 approaches, the festive spirit seems poised to overcome challenges, buoyed by savvy planning and regional enthusiasm, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-15

 

 

Short: money first🤗

[redwood1]

Beavis and Butthead have the perfect response to Songkrans is going to bring in 100 zillion baht and save the day for the countless time..

 

 

 

 

[kickstart]

And what about the 300 plus people that die on the Thai roads during the Songkran festival, plus the thousands that are injured, and need hospital care, the cost of that lot would make a big hole income from tourist.

[NE1]

39 minutes ago, kickstart said:

And what about the 300 plus people that die on the Thai roads during the Songkran festival, plus the thousands that are injured, and need hospital care, the cost of that lot would make a big hole income from tourist.

 

I think Thailand takes the attitude " as long as they are locals , it won't upset TAT's figures. "

[daveAustin]

7 hours ago, kickstart said:

And what about the 300 plus people that die on the Thai roads during the Songkran festival, plus the thousands that are injured, and need hospital care, the cost of that lot would make a big hole income from tourist.

Not much different from normal numbers. It’s just more-published from the usual suspects to try to get people to stop having fun. Much like the boomer crowd here. Take your dour attitude and go and do one you miserable old bastards if you don’t like it. Don’t go bringing that rubbish here!

[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

The eagerly anticipated Songkran festival in 2025 is projected to infuse a remarkable 26.5 billion Thai Baht into Thailand's economy. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this year's festival is expected to draw 476,000 international tourists alongside 4.4 million domestic travellers, bolstering both local and national economies.

And then back to normality... a piss-poor economy.

Seems Thailand lurches from festival to festival to support the lagging GDP

[watchcat]

On 3/15/2025 at 1:00 AM, webfact said:

Chinese tourists remain the top contributors financially,

 

I find this hard to believe, Most of the money if not all goes back to China.

 

[Patong2021]

Gosh, they have been singing the praises of Songkran ages. My contribution is via the travel taxes as I  leave for Songkran. This year, I was forced to  leave even earlier since the TG & NH flights to Tokyo were sold out .

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Sure the teen drunks and junkies from the west will flock.

 

But the quality foreigners in Thailand will leave their luxury seafront condos or pool villas and go to Vietnam or Hong Kong during the festival madness.

[blaze master]

Can someone just tell me how many billion zillion baht they are bragging about this time. 

[atpeace]

12 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

I find this hard to believe, Most of the money if not all goes back to China.

 

Is this the weird story you've created in your head that completely ignores reality?  

[proton]

For kids, backpackers, idiots and drunks 😁

[watchcat]

4 hours ago, proton said:

For kids, backpackers, idiots and drunks 😁

 

Correct.