Bangkokians splash on Songkran spend

BANGKOK, 4 April 2013: Kasikorn Research Centre estimates Bangkok residents will spend Bt31,500 million during the five-day Songkran holiday, 12 to 16 April.

The centre said Bangkokians will spend 10.5% more this year. It based its estimates on interviews with 549 people (15 to 65 years old) living in Bangkok during 20 to 27 March.

The data showed that a rise in cost of living expenses would impact on spending (52.5%) followed by inconvenient transportation (43.7%), and travel safety (42.8%).

Inconvenient transportation is probably a reference to poor quality train and bus services, while the high fatality and accident toll during the five-day holiday emerges as the main safety concern.

These factors will cause 59.0% of respondent to stay in the capital for the holiday where the top activity will be shopping (77.9%) followed by temple visits (77.2%), and partying with friends and family (71.2%).

Meanwhile, balance said they would travel  up-country mainly to visit relatives (32.9%). Holiday activities: Parties (81.6%); temple visits (73.5%); and shopping (62.8%).

Top destinations were Chon Buri, Petchaburi, Ayutthaya and Prachuap Khiri Khan for Bangkok residents who prefer shorter trips.

The centre estimates Bangkok residents will spend Bt31,500 million. Of that Bt25,500 million will circulate in Thailand and Bt6,000 million on overseas trips mainly to Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Of the projected revenue in Thailand, Bt8,400 million will go to entertainment (parties) followed by shopping (Bt7,000 million), travel costs and accommodation (Bt5,600 million), making merit (Bt4,000), and other entertain activities (Bt500 million).

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: ttrweekly