File photo.

 

Thais are unfazed by recent earthquake jitters and are eagerly preparing for the Songkran Festival. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce reports that 72.1% of Thais plan to travel during the Thai New Year celebration, which officially begins on Sunday, April 13, and runs through Wednesday, April 16.

 

Deputy government spokesman, Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak, revealed that consumer spending is expected to reach a staggering ฿134.631 billion this year, a 4.5% increase from last year's ฿128.834 billion.

 

Should these expectations be met, it would mark the highest expenditure since 2020, when spending hit ฿69.005 billion.

 

The impressive 72.1% intending to travel is the largest proportion recorded since 2019, demonstrating growing confidence in the economy and a resurgence in tourism.

 

 

 

Despite the tremors, it appears there's little impact on spending plans, with 74.5% of participants indicating no change. However, 14.4% of those surveyed plan to spend more, while 11.1% intend to tighten their wallets slightly. Most intend to enjoy traditional Songkran celebrations but are steering clear of activities in tall buildings.

 

Business insiders, including hotel owners and airline operators, report no downturn in sales or bookings. They anticipate a surge in expenditure as the festival progresses.

 

“Travel confidently in Thailand this Songkran," urges Mr. Anukul, highlighting government efforts to inspect the safety of structures in high-risk areas, ensuring tourists can enjoy the holiday worry-free.

 

In conclusion, Thais are clearly ready to usher in the New Year with enthusiasm, as preparations for Songkran highlight the public's resilience and the steady recovery of Thailand's famed tourism industry.

 

Based on a story by THai Newsroom

 

-- 2025-04-08

 

 

Quake Can't Dampen Songkran Joy: 72% of Thais Plan to Travel perhaps the roadkills will?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy government spokesman, Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak, revealed that consumer spending is expected to reach a staggering ฿134.631 billion this year, a 4.5% increase from last year's ฿128.834 billion.

Amazing insight... Thais will go all out in the middle of the month, and go skint for the remainder of it.

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

Quake Can't Dampen Songkran Joy: 72% of Thais Plan to Travel perhaps the roadkills will?

Nah, Thais are desensitised to road tragedies.

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

Quake Can't Dampen Songkran Joy: 72% of Thais Plan to Travel perhaps the roadkills will?

Most road accidents at Songkran are young people on motorbikes, often on side country roads. I think the main roads are safer than normal due to the number of checkpoints.

72% traveling!!!   A good reason to stay at home for the week.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

revealed that consumer spending is expected to reach a staggering ฿134.631 billion this year,

That is less than Bht 2000 per head of population of 70M.

72% of people in Bangkok leaving?

 

The peak road deaths for the prime 7 day Songkran period was 2018 at 679.

Almost 100 a day. 

1 hour ago, JimHuaHin said:

72% traveling!!!   A good reason to stay at home for the week.

Totally, I'll travel on the 21st.

Are the 72% Bangkok condo owners aiming to travel as far away as possible?

Travel out of Bangkok mainly 

10 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Nah, Thais are desensitised to road tragedies.

 

But but you're forgetting their afterlife.

11 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Amazing insight... Thais will go all out in the middle of the month, and go skint for the remainder of it.

Why did you choose this center of joy: 

• Location:Nakhon Pathom
  
  Too much money to spend?

Every year, my Thai friends bless me with a sprinkle of water.

 

I may be dampened, a bit.

 

But, my spirits never shall be.

 

 

I gave that s**t away years ago, now our Songkran is with my wifes family at my house, and that's strictly by invitation only.

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Why did you choose this center of joy: 

• Location:Nakhon Pathom
  
  Too much money to spend?

Cheap shot...

Firstly this location is a predominately Thai area and I find the locals very accommodating.

Secondly I have no wish to live in a resort spend my days rubbing shoulders with peed up farangs, drugged up idiots or watch females selling themselves.

 

7 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Cheap shot...

Firstly this location is a predominately Thai area and I find the locals very accommodating.

Secondly I have no wish to live in a resort spend my days rubbing shoulders with peed up farangs, drugged up idiots or watch females selling themselves.

 

Priceless ...so foreigners are drunks, drugged up and watching prostitutes?

 

Thais don't get drunk and act like idiots...no...no...noooooo

 

Thais don't take drugs....no...no...nooo

 

Prostituting....prostitution....here????  Nooooooooo.....only foreigners are into that....just ask the inspection team on Walking Street.

 

Go sit in any predominantly Thai town during Songkran and see who will be peed up, fighting, drink driving and causing havoc. Check the names of those killed up and down the country due to drunk and disorderly behaviour and see how many are non-Thai.

 

What a clueless post.

 

 

On 4/8/2025 at 1:47 PM, hotchilli said:

Amazing insight... Thais will go all out in the middle of the month, and go skint for the remainder of it.

 

"If I have whisky, I will be drunk today."