Sanam Luang Songkran reported to draw over 784,000

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool told a press conference that the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 on Rajdamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang April 11 to 15 saw 784,883, which included 693,288 Thais, 72.18% of whom were Bangkok residents.

She said the rest of the 91,595 revellers were foreign tourists, most of them from European nations.

The governor said the festivities had led to 950 million baht in direct spending related to the celebrations at Sanam Luang. The amount was estimated from sales of foods and drinks at the festival ground, travel spending, accommodation costs, purchase of souvenirs and other costs for festive activities.

Thapanee said direct spending at Sanam Lung was estimated to circulate 1.935 billion baht in the economic system. As a result, she said, the Sanam Luang celebrations were estimated to generate a total revenue of 2.886 billion baht for the economy, netting the government VAT collections of 742 million baht.

The celebrations also generated income for some 500 street vendors and for some 2,000 of their workers, she added.

The TAT chief said holding of the Sanam Luang festival was a success as it attracted both Thai and foreign tourists and an opinion survey among visitors found most of them were happy with festivities.

The celebrations were widely mentioned on social media and the use of Sanam Luang as a festive site. It also made one of Thailand's key landmarks better known to foreign tourists, the TAT governor added.

She said Sanam Luang also provided access to other nearby festive grounds, such as Khao San Road, Phra Arthit Road, and the Bang Lamphu area.

She added that the festive activities were clearly designed and zoned to meet all age groups of revellers.