Songkran Success: Tourist Surge Boosts Thai Economy

[factual monk]

This year the attendees were lesser than last year... but TAT will never accept...

Huge number of bookings were canceled after the Myanmar earthquake. Prior to The earthquake... there was much enthusiasm and The authorities had already invested for the Songkran events... they had no choice but to go on with it and then show inflated figures... but atleast those who could make it hopefully enjoyed the festival... 

[Reddavy]

4 hours ago, Dan O said:

Ahhh i see  

Because it’s BS 🤷🏼

[kiwikeith]

9 hours ago, blaze master said:

Wait till the hangover sets in. 

A disastrously idiot success , what is successful about hundreds of deaths and cars burning and being driven into crowds, is a few more tourists worth all this misery and death that come after, every year.

Its just senseless to teach little kids to throw water at bikes putting the kid and the biker in danger.

I stay far away from it

 

[connda]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Thailand is basking in the glow of a tourist boom as the Songkran festival draws an impressive 666,000 international visitors, reports revealed on Tuesday. The nation welcomed roughly 10.7 million tourists in 2025, raking in a whopping 510 billion baht from tourism-related income this year.

I'm waiting for the next news article which complains about all the bad, misbehaving, and rude foreigners during Songkran.

Those "WOW - Look at all the foreigners pouring into Thailand - Thailand make BIG MONEY, jing jing!" articles are usually followed within 24 hours by "'Bad, disrespectful farang did 'this' and did 'that' and the Thai public are OUTRAGED and SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!', say Pol Lt. Gen. Somchai Preetlejeep."  Coming soon....

[Luuk Chaai]

9 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

How do they gage such an accurate amount when it literally just finished a few days ago ?

 

What mechanisms are they using? 

 

 

Shrimp Buffet sales !

[connda]

9 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

A disastrously idiot success , what is successful about hundreds of deaths and cars burning and being driven into crowds, is a few more tourists worth all this misery and death that come after, every year.

Its just senseless to teach little kids to throw water at bikes putting the kid and the biker in danger.

I stay far away from it

 

It happens in every country during major holidays.  It's not unique to Thailand.

[blaze master]

1 minute ago, connda said:

It happens in every country during major holidays.  It's not unique to Thailand.

 

I don't normally see news in canada that valentines day or Easter brought in 2 billion zillion million billion dollars. 

[BexMan]

7 hours ago, Dan O said:

Can you share a link as I've never seen it published here or anywhere else

Interesting question, WHO states a Thai average of 20000 a year. Latest figures I could see was for 2021 when Thailand had 18218 road traffic deaths. So usual 50 road deaths a day which is higher than the Songkran rate this year, so far.

[DonniePeverley]

8 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

It is so fantastic they really should consider having Songkran every month.  Big bucks!

 

Or .... Christmas could be everyday. And Songkran on the evenings everyday. 

 

 

[DonniePeverley]

3 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

I don't normally see news in canada that valentines day or Easter brought in 2 billion zillion million billion dollars. 

 

 

Yeah on the 26th December, you don't have countries like the UK, or USA able to report the financial outcome that quick after the Christmas rush.

 

These are countries where most of the economy (not all) has shifted digitially, and they still cannot get that financial information out the next day (it usually takes months). 

 

In Japan it takes time for any financial reports for the whole country to hit when Golden week finishes. 

 

I can't ever recall America able to release financial details for the whole country the day after Thanksgiving for that holiday.

 

THAILAND IS LEADING THE WORLD IN ACCOUNTING. THEY CAN EVEN GAGE HOW MUCH VENDORS, STREET FOOD VENDORS, MARKETS, MASSAGE PARLOURS, INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS, BARS, CLUBS, MECHANICS, ARE MAKING IN CASH because they are all friends. 

 

 

 

 

[save the frogs]

I'm hearing a lot of sirens the past 3 nights.

 

Seems there must be a lot of accidents out there. Not sure if there is also violence that isn't being reported ... 

[rough diamond]

21 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I'm hearing a lot of sirens the past 3 nights

If they annoy I suggest you wear earplugs!

[sanabavy IV]

by the way how do the royal family perform their Songkran?

[Magictoad]

I find this headline difficult to believe. Here in Pattaya there's barely a ripple except in those places that are already rammed. I accept that it's more chaotic during Songkran but I don't believe it's more profitable.

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, Magictoad said:

I find this headline difficult to believe. Here in Pattaya there's barely a ripple except in those places that are already rammed. I accept that it's more chaotic during Songkran but I don't believe it's more profitable.

 

Traffic in Pattaya was this week the best I have seen in months, and seen very few buses around as well.

[MalcolmB]

11 hours ago, johng said:

Not finished in Pattaya till the 19th  and even after that further along the coast southwards  can never remember if its Barng Saray or the other one ? Barng Sean ?

Bang Beung Chonburi 20th

 

 

 

[UserC923]

Thailand has never really had a problem with population decline. Even with a negative birth rate, the population doesn’t seem to decrease. Even if a hundred thousand people died each day, the numbers still wouldn’t drop. Would it be fair to call this a miracle?

[newbee2022]

On 4/16/2025 at 4:42 AM, webfact said:

People splash water during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

 

Thailand is basking in the glow of a tourist boom as the Songkran festival draws an impressive 666,000 international visitors, reports revealed on Tuesday. The nation welcomed roughly 10.7 million tourists in 2025, raking in a whopping 510 billion baht from tourism-related income this year.

 

The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 has been dubbed a roaring success, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Celebrated over three days, Thai New Year festivities splashed across popular spots like Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Hat Yai, attracting crowds from across the globe. Bangkok remained the epicentre of the celebrations, with Silom Road and Khao San Road teeming with 651,295 revellers.

 

A significant influx of short-haul tourists, particularly from China and India, led to a 17.61% increase from the previous week's numbers. More long-haul visitors from Europe, taking advantage of spring school holidays, added further to the festival's success. During the Songkran week alone, 666,180 international arrivals were recorded, showing a 10.73% rise with around 95,169 arrivals per day.

 

Topping visitor numbers were Malaysians, Chinese, Indians, Russians, and British nationals. Chinese and Indian numbers soared by 28.20% and 23.56%, respectively, though the Brits seemed less interested, with a slight dip of 8.49%.

 

 

 

The Thai government is keen to maintain the touristic momentum post-Songkran, eyeing European travellers during their school spring break. The Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sport Year 2025 campaign has been a hit, with streamlined travel processes and increased flight support.

 

From January 1 to April 13, 10.73 million tourists packed their bags for Thailand, contributing to windfall tourism revenues of 516.58 billion baht. Songkran's three-day bash saw 651,295 revellers flock to hotspot Bangkok, generating 1.7 billion baht at the Sanam Luang site alone.

 

As attention turned to local festivities, the song and dance in Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Avenue captivated 523,456 Thais and 34,559 foreigners. The Tourism Authority of Thailand estimated the Songkran festivities would generate about 26.5 billion baht, an 8% increase compared to last year, with foreign visitor numbers also promising a healthy rise.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-16

 

 

Full economically success. 250 dead on the road? Collateral damage?

😳

[Bobydog]

On 4/16/2025 at 8:37 AM, DonniePeverley said:

How do they gage such an accurate amount when it literally just finished a few days ago ?

 

What mechanisms are they using? Tax recipets already? Spending? Are all vendors reporting to the government the day after songkran?

 

Not doubting it was busy with cheap mass tourism, but where are they getting their figures from THAT QUICK ?

How is simple, massive amounts of marijuana 

 

On 4/16/2025 at 8:37 AM, DonniePeverley said:

How do they gage such an accurate amount when it literally just finished a few days ago ?

 

What mechanisms are they using? Tax recipets already? Spending? Are all vendors reporting to the government the day after songkran?

 

Not doubting it was busy with cheap mass tourism, but where are they getting their figures from THAT QUICK ?

That's easy, massive amounts of Marijuana 

[terryofcrete]

On 4/15/2025 at 10:52 PM, norsurin said:

Bla bla bla. Again and again 

How many road deaths did they mention ?

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

How many road deaths did they mention ?

 

200 in total for the 7 days.

Great result, almost half any other non festival days.

[anchadian]

On 4/16/2025 at 4:42 AM, webfact said:

People splash water during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Thailand, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

 

Thailand is basking in the glow of a tourist boom as the Songkran festival draws an impressive 666,000 international visitors, reports revealed on Tuesday. The nation welcomed roughly 10.7 million tourists in 2025, raking in a whopping 510 billion baht from tourism-related income this year.

 

The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 has been dubbed a roaring success, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Celebrated over three days, Thai New Year festivities splashed across popular spots like Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Hat Yai, attracting crowds from across the globe. Bangkok remained the epicentre of the celebrations, with Silom Road and Khao San Road teeming with 651,295 revellers.

 

A significant influx of short-haul tourists, particularly from China and India, led to a 17.61% increase from the previous week's numbers. More long-haul visitors from Europe, taking advantage of spring school holidays, added further to the festival's success. During the Songkran week alone, 666,180 international arrivals were recorded, showing a 10.73% rise with around 95,169 arrivals per day.

 

Topping visitor numbers were Malaysians, Chinese, Indians, Russians, and British nationals. Chinese and Indian numbers soared by 28.20% and 23.56%, respectively, though the Brits seemed less interested, with a slight dip of 8.49%.

 

 

 

The Thai government is keen to maintain the touristic momentum post-Songkran, eyeing European travellers during their school spring break. The Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sport Year 2025 campaign has been a hit, with streamlined travel processes and increased flight support.

 

From January 1 to April 13, 10.73 million tourists packed their bags for Thailand, contributing to windfall tourism revenues of 516.58 billion baht. Songkran's three-day bash saw 651,295 revellers flock to hotspot Bangkok, generating 1.7 billion baht at the Sanam Luang site alone.

 

As attention turned to local festivities, the song and dance in Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Avenue captivated 523,456 Thais and 34,559 foreigners. The Tourism Authority of Thailand estimated the Songkran festivities would generate about 26.5 billion baht, an 8% increase compared to last year, with foreign visitor numbers also promising a healthy rise.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-16

 

 

I know which article I believe:

 

Thai economy thrown into disarray by Trump’s tariffs. Exports and Tourism may both be far lower in 2025

 

Trump’s tariffs create economic turmoil for Thailand, with exports and tourism set to drop sharply in 2025. As the baht strengthens, growth forecasts are slashed, and global tensions escalate. Negotiations with the US are critical for future stability.

 

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/04/19/thai-economy-thrown-into-disarray-by-trumps-tariffs-exports-and-tourism-may-both-be-far-lower-in-2025/

 

[Reddavy]

On 4/16/2025 at 5:37 AM, DonniePeverley said:

How do they gage such an accurate amount when it literally just finished a few days ago ?

 

What mechanisms are they using? Tax recipets already? Spending? Are all vendors reporting to the government the day after songkran?

 

Not doubting it was busy with cheap mass tourism, but where are they getting their figures from THAT QUICK ?

Just more made up Thai BS 🤷🏼

[Will B Good]

Whatever happened to the wondrous, brilliant, genius suggestion of making it a month long event.....idiots.