Major Influx of Chinese Tourists Expected for Songkran Festival

[Jacob Maslow]

People celebrating Songkran (Thai new year / water festival) in the streets by dancing and shooting and throwing water at each other.

A major influx of Chinese tourists is expected for Thai’s New Year Songkran festival. Between April 11 and April 15, the Tourism Authority of Thailand estimates as many as 400,000 Chinese tourists will visit the country.

Tourism of Thailand executive director Ms. Srisuda Wanapinyosak stated that Thailand continues to be a favored destination for Chinese travelers even after the New Year’s period. Nearly 500,000 Chinese visitors traveled to Thailand during the New Year’s holiday.

Flights booked to Thailand from China are already near or at full capacity, particularly the route from Shanghai.

While an influx of Chinese tourists is expected, Thailand as a whole will see a major increase in tourists during the annual festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand estimates that this year’s Songkran festival will generate 14.5 billion baht.

Domestic tourism would contribute 7.5 billion baht and international tourism would contribute 7 billion baht. Altogether, revenue is expected to grow 26% compared to last year.

Recovery in Asean and East Asian markets will play a role in boosting tourism during the Songkran festival. Pollution in the North will likely affect travel in those regions, particularly Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, but other regions of the country should expect to see a major increase in tourists as the festival draws near

-- 2015-04-01

[dean008]

Good for them, i hope they have a nice stay and frequent local restaurants and shops and give a boost to the economy

[IMA_FARANG]

Looks to me like a party of Fat, drunken, Farang, Eurotrash tourists ......noting to do with Chinese tourists.

Edited April 2, 2015 by IMA_FARANG

[Pete Beale]

All the water being thrown around will hopefully wash away the spit and snot from the Chinese.

[Wrong Turn]

Oh dear...

The Chinese are "price conscious"....

Good for LOS that they are coming, though.....

[Srikcir]

Thai’s New Year Songkran festival is certainly unique in the world as a celebration. It is an essence of Thai culture.

But why don't Chinese have more festivals in China so that they can enjoy celebrations in their own country as well. With a 1,000 year old culture I'd think there would be many such potential unique events every month. I have never understood why Chinese would travel from China to Thailand (or any other country for that matter) to celebrate Chinese News Year. I would think it would be just the reverse. That Chinese from all over the world would travel to China for Chinese New Year.

Maybe it's a matter of suppression in their society to express happiness with anything not condoned and organized by the State. Hence, we experience what would seems to be unruly behavior by Chinese at festivals outside China when it's actually driven by short moments of delirious personal freedom.