Tourism/ Songkran foreign tourist arrivals

Chatrudee Theparat

The number of foreign tourists to Thailand reached 10.72 million during January 1 to April 14 this year, generating 518.03 billion baht, thanks to an influx of Chinese with 2.03 million.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said during January 1 to April 14, foreign visitors to Thailand reached 10.72 million, generating 518.03 billion baht. Of the total, Chinese topped the rank with 2.03 million, followed by 1.39 million Malaysians, 695, 624 Russians, 619,186 South Koreans, and 546,935 Indians.

Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol

She said during the Songkran festival, held between April 8 and 14, the number of foreign visitors to Thailand grew significantly, especially Malaysians with its increasing number of about 78,297 placing the top rank of this week.

The number of foreign visitors to Thailand this week totaled 735,802 up 117,970 from last week or a 10.09% increase. Average foreign visitors coming to the country per day were 105,115.

The government announced that five days of Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 at Rachadamnoen and Sanam Luang generated 2.88 billion baht in tourism revenue.

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed that the festival, held during April 11-15 along Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and Sanam Luang, attracted 784,883 Thai and foreign visitors, and could generate 2.88 billion baht in revenue. Sales volume among shops at the event were 9.33 million baht.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expected that domestic and foreign tourists spending during the Songkran festival would generate at least 100 billion baht (US$ 2.7 billion) in revenue for the country.

The Tourism and Sports, the Interior Ministry, TAT, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the National Soft Power Strategy Committee are big sponsors to organize the festival.

The cabinet in February approved the budget from the 2023 fiscal budget of about 105 million baht to fund the Maha Songkran World Water Festival in Bangkok and five provinces in April.