BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) – The University of the Thai
Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has predicted that people would spend 135.84 billion
baht during the Songkran holiday, slightly more than last year due to several
concerns.
Thanavath Phonvichai, vice president of the UTCC, said the
estimation was based on the university’s survey before the Thai New Year
festival.
He said that the expected spending would rise by only 2.76%
from 132.13 billion baht spent during the previous Songkran holiday because
people tended to prefer short-distance vacations as they were concerned about
very hot weather, thick smog, traffic congestion and high costs of living.
Most surveyed people said they would shop, visit respectable
people and relatives, have parties, splash water and make merits during the
long holiday.
However, the haze situation in the north of the country may
affect tourism during Songkran festival.(TNA)
