The Songkran Festival is presently being celebrated nationwide in Thailand, with the government anticipating a boost in revenue for the second quarter of this year.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has revealed that the TAT foresees total tourism revenue of 613.6 billion baht for the second quarter of 2024 (April-June). This growth is largely attributed to the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024,” scheduled from April 1 to 21.
Anticipating heightened travel and tourism activities during April 12–16 due to the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024, the TAT predicts an overall tourism revenue of 24.42 billion baht, marking an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
This revenue projection includes 8.76 billion baht from international tourism and 15.66 billion baht from domestic tourism, with an estimated 510,000 visitor arrivals and 4.29 million domestic trips. Songkran celebrations in Bangkok are expected to contribute 3.69 billion baht in revenue and attract 653,590 domestic trips. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has organized comprehensive events with up to 118 points, dividing Songkran into two styles: “little wet” cultural activities, including events at Sanam Luang from April 12 to 14, and “very wet” water-splashing activities, highlighted at Khao San Road, Phra Nakhon District, Khao San World Water Festival UNESCO 2024, and Silom Road.
Consequently, the TAT predicts that in the second quarter, domestic trips will reach 44.4 million, generating 245.7 billion baht in revenue, reflecting increases of 19% and 17%, respectively. For foreign tourists, 8,272,300 arrivals are expected, a 29% increase compared to the same period last year, representing 92% of 2019 figures. This surge is projected to yield revenue of 367.9 billion baht, a 25% increase compared to the previous year, and accounting for 95% of 2019 levels.
In the first quarter of 2024 (January-March), domestic tourism experienced year-on-year growth with 41.18 million domestic trips, up by 10%, and 228.1 billion baht in tourism revenue, an 8% increase. This growth was primarily fueled by a robust increase in domestic tourism, with 1.3 million more visitors compared to the October-December 2023 period. Additionally, Thailand welcomed a total of 9,381,098 foreign tourists during this period, marking a 44% increase over 2023 and generating 476 billion baht in tourism revenue, also up by 44%.
ASEAN, Europe, and South Asia have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, while Northeast Asia has shown strong recovery, reaching 67% of 2019 levels, surpassing expectations.
The top 10 source markets for foreign tourists to Thailand are China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, India, Germany, Laos, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, collectively accounting for 65% of all foreign tourist arrivals.
Photo by AX Media Thailand
