However, due to safety concerns, China’s visits are projected to drop by 34 % from last year.
PUBLISHED: 14 Mar 2025 at 20: 26
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand ( TAT ), the Songkran festival this year is expected to bring in 26.5 billion baht from 476, 000 foreign visitors and 4.4 million domestic trips.
According to TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, international market revenues for April 12 to 16 are projected to increase by 7 % year over year to 7.3 billion baht, while domestic receipts are projected to increase by 9 % to 19.2 billion baht.
The government plans to keep festive events all over the country, according to Ms. Thapanee, while entire income is anticipated to increase 8 % year over year, primarily as a result of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025.
She claimed that due to a decline in arrivals from mainland China and Hong Kong, respectively, by 34 % and 28 % year over year, due to a decline in confidence in safety as a result of the widespread coverage of scams targeting Chinese citizens.
As the festival falls at the same time as Easter, according to Ms. Thapanee, the number of European tourists should increase by 23 %. Forward air ticket sales have increased by 17 % so far, primarily as a result of flights from the UK, Germany, and Israel.
The Southeast Asian market is projected to grow by 7 % year over year to 160, 800 tourists during the holiday season, with Malaysia generating the most revenue with 81, 000 visitors and 637 million baht, according to the TAT.
Although just 65, 000 Chinese immigrants are expected, she said, income from this industry are expected to be the highest and at 1.2 billion ringgit.
The Cabinet approved a 153 million baht funds earlier this month for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to host the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025. From a preliminary budget forecast of 240 million baht, the expenditure was cut.
Two low-cost airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet, responded to the Transportation Ministry’s previous request to provide affordable domestic flights during Songkran by announcing 30 % price reductions for April 11 through April 17 on some of their roads.