'Show must go on' as TAT strives for successful Songkran

“The show must go on,” said Pattamat Wongpattanasiri, northeastern region executive director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 

In spite of security concerns, she said she had to continue with her task and would work doubly hard during the festival period in a bid to restore tourists’ confidence. 

The TAT, which in a normal year is busy at this time promoting Songkran events from region to region, has to work even harder this year, and this is especially the case for Surapon Sawetserani, the agency’s governor. 

He has not only organised events to attract more visitors, but is also in charge of rebuilding tourists’ confidence in Hat Yai. 

He is pinning big hopes on the “Hat Yai Midnight Songkran” event to show the world that the province of Songkhla is peaceful again after the dreadful events of March 31.

These TAT efforts are expected to bear fruit. From tomorrow through April 29, the TAT predicts that 6.34 million people will travel to celebrate the Thai New Year. The expected breakdown is 5.2 million Thais, 640,000 expatriates and 500,000 foreign tourists. 

Overall Songkran spending is projected at Bt53.2 billion, with Bt28.8 billion accounted for by Thais, Bt6.4 billion by expats and Bt18 billion by foreign visitors. 

In addition, the TAT has promoted 13 provinces from Nong Khai to Hat Yai with a budget of Bt17 million. 

During the period, 1.4 million tourists are expected to celebrate Songkran in those areas. The breakdown is 1.26 million Thais and 140,000 expats and foreign tourists. 

As to spending, about Bt2.4 billion is projected to come from Thais and Bt2.17 million from foreigners.

The TAT said in a report that it expected Thais would keep up their normal level of travel during Songkran, despite being faced with rising commodity prices, especially for petrol, and home-renovation costs due to last year’s severe flooding. 

In the shorter time frame of April 12-17, some 2.47 million people are expected to travel and drop Bt9.22 billion into the local economy, an increase of 8 per cent year on year. 

The nationwide average room-occupancy rate is expected to be 65 per cent in the period, according to the TAT. 

Each region, and especially major cities, across the Kingdom will be offering its own highlights to attract tourists. 

In the North, the TAT has promoted 10 provinces, with Chiang Mai being one of the major destinations. 

Northern business operators, especially hotels, will be playing their part with the creation of 

“cultural products” to attract tourists. 

Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa is one such example. The five-star hotel in Chiang Mai city is offering a special northern buffet from Friday through Sunday, with its Slee Banyan restaurant decorated in Lanna style for the occasion. 

Chalermsak Suranant, director of the TAT’s Chiang Mai office, said Songkran in Chiang Mai would be as colourful as earlier years, thanks to the end of the haze and smog caused by wood burning in recent months. The clear skies will mean a higher number of tourists in the province. 

The province has almost 40,000 rooms available, with occupancy for the festival period standing at 80-85 per cent and expected to reach 90 per cent. 

The city of Chiang Mai will be heightening security checks, helped by the military and police officers, Chalermsak said. 

In the South, however, some areas are in trouble due to the recent worsening in the security situation. 

The TAT will hold planned events, but will do so in close cooperation with all parties in order to beef up security. Eight southern provinces fall under the agency’s promotion, with Hat Yai to the fore with the Midnight Songkran planned for today through Friday. 

Thirty-four security checkpoints have been set up in the city of Hat Yai for Songkran. 

Somchat Pimthanapoonporn, president of the Tourism Council of Songkhla, believes Hat Yai Midnight Songkran will be as attractive an event as in previous years. However, given the security concerns, it is expected to attract 20 per cent fewer revellers than last year. To boost the event, the council is teaming up with all operators of two- to four-star hotels in order to cut surcharges and room rates. Overall, it will be 30 per cent cheaper than last year, said Somchat. 

Following the recent car bombs, it was reported that 30-60 per cent of bookings for Songkran had been cancelled, especially those made by Malaysians.

In the Northeast, nine provinces are being promoted by the TAT. One of the provincial highlights, in Khon Kaen, is the “Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival” at Thanon Khao Neow (Sticky Rice Walking Street).

The street is alcohol-free and the local community will produce the world’s longest khao ji (Isaan grilled sticky rice), at 10 metres. 

According to the TAT’s Pattamat, nearly 300,000 people are expected to visit Isaan for Songkran. More than 90 per cent are Thais, while the rest will largely be from neighbouring nations, especially Laos. 

The foreign contingent has crossed the border to celebrate the festival in provinces such as Nakhon Panom, Nong Khai and Udon Thani, she added.