TAT expects Phuket to generate at least 4.5 billion baht during Songkran

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects Phuket to generate at least 4.5 billion baht during the Songkran Festival, with over 200,000 tourists expected to visit the island province.

The director of TAT’s Phuket Office, Lertchai Wangtrakundee, stated that 84% of hotel rooms have already been booked from April 13 to April 16. Additionally, 258 international flights with 48,302 passengers and 249 domestic flights with 37,056 passengers are scheduled to arrive in Phuket during this period, he said.

Lertchai said there would be 223,452 visitors to Phuket, The Phuket Express reported.

Lertchai also mentioned that more Chinese tourists are visiting Phuket. By the middle of this year, Chinese visitors are predicted to become the top tourist group in Phuket, with younger Chinese tourists spending more money, Lertchai said.

The Songkran Festival, which marks the Thai New Year, is traditionally a time for celebration and travel, and this year is no exception in Phuket. As one of Thailand’s known tropical paradises, Phuket is a popular destination for Songkran celebrations.

Areas across Thailand are gearing up for the expected tourist surge over Songkran.

Thailand’s Surat Thani province is expecting to welcome more than 90,000 tourists during the festival. According to the Surat Thani Governor, Vichawut Jintoe, over 67,000 foreign tourists and 23,000 Thai tourists are expected to visit the southern province from April 13 to 16.

Surat Thani is home to the famous paradise islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Surat Thani’s economy. The governor estimates that during the festival, Surat Thani and Samui Island will generate around 1.2 billion baht in tourist revenue.

Songkran is a three-day festival that takes place from April 13 to 15, but the festivities often continue for a week or more in some areas. During the festival, people use water guns, buckets, and hoses to soak anyone in sight.

Meanwhile, in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, Silom Road, a popular destination for water fights in Bangkok during Songkran, will remain open this year. Locals and tourists can take part in the water fights on the streets and sidewalks of each Soi.