Ready for the big splash

BANGKOK  Kasikorn Research Centre estimates Bangkokians will spend THB22,800 million during the upcoming Songkhran holiday an increase of 3.6% over the same holiday period last year.
The centre said Songkhran remains the most popular annual festival for Bangkok residents and this year it should be celebrated in style as the political situation has stabilised after years of unrest.
Also oil price are down 30%, another incentive for Bangkok residents to travel by car. It will probably save them around 10% to 15% off last year’s expenses, the bank said.
The projected THB22,800 million festive spend breaks down into THB11,500 million on party expenses such as food and drinks, THB4,600 million on shopping, THB3,100 million on accommodation and other travel expenses. Another THB3,100 million will be spent on making merit and THB500 million on water-spraying gear.
Inside no.1According to the centre’s survey, 54% of those residing in Bangkok said they would spend Songkhran in the capital, and 27% of them plan to visit their hometowns.
In addition, Bangkokians are expected to travel more to Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Petchaburi, Phuket, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Ayutthaya–for both overnight and one-day trip.
Kasikorn Research Centre is a subsidiary company of Kasikorn Bank, which conducts tourism and business research mainly on Thailand’s economy including tourism with reliable recommendations and indicators on business prospects.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia