124 billion baht are expected to be spent by Songkran revelers this year

[webfact]

124 billion baht are expected to be spent by Songkran revelers this year



BANGKOK: -- This year's Songkran festival is expected to generate 124 billion baht in spending by both Thai and foreign revelers which is said to be the highest amount for one single festival in ten years, according to a survey of the spending behavior of consumers during Songkran conducted by Univeristy of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Thanawat Pholvichai, director of business and economic forecast centre of UTCC, said that the anticipated high spending was attributable to the long holidays during which many people would travel for holidaying, return homes to visit relatives or for merit makings.

He said that economic stimulus packages, both old and new, and tax deduction measure which was recently introduced by the government would encourage people to spend more.

Thanawat said that Songkran celebration this year would be the most robust in three years. But overall he believes that many people are still cautious with their spending because of the price increases of consumer products and drought.

Meanwhile, UTCC rector Mrs Saowanee Thairungroj said that Spongkran spendings this year were expected to increase 4.5 percent from last year’s 119 billion baht to 124 billion baht this year.

This constitutes the highest increase in three years since 2014.

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/158676


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-08

[thaiduncankk]

I think he is wrong, I estimated 123 billion baht.

[ezzra]

Are these predictions are anything like the weather and the economy predictions that they always get it wrong?

I don't think that this year will even get close to this figures judging from the poor car sales at the last car show

and the sluggish economy right now....

[NongKhaiKid]

" Dreamin' I'm always dreamin' "

Johnny Burnette circa 1960

[khwaibah]

124 billlion baht for booze. Lets the good time roll and the dead count on the highway go up and up and up.

[gk10002000]

I expect my fellow office workers to each give me $14,000 USD as a tax free gift that the USA IRS allows. But that doesn't mean my expectations have any basis in reality.

[mesterm]

My contribution to this will be a grand total of 0 baht.

[lostinisaan]

I bet foreigners pay the bill.

[lostinisaan]

I think he is wrong, I estimated 123 billion baht.

I did the math and the result should read 111 billion baht.

[gyrosman]

124 billion baht in 3 days, so, I hope the police will be doing a good job which includes patrolling on foot until 4-5 am in the bar areas. After all how much is 1 more dead tourist worth? They want us to be safe, then tagged the street gangs and others waiting for their chance.

[Jim walker]

In yer dreams

[Ulic]

So, if Songkran were cancelled, my prediction is 123 billion baht would still be spent.

[lujanit]

Where do they get these figures from? Same place as they get lottery numbers from I guess. Blue Sky Mining.

[lkv]

Wrong. According to the report issued by TAT on 20 April 2016, I can confirm it exceeded all expectations and it's actually 248 billion.

[mikebell]

I'm spending my share in Vietnam.