Songkran festival may go ahead with physical distancing
BANGKOK: Thailand’s proposal to allow the annual Songkran festival next month could revitalise the economy, although concerns about Covid-19 linger.
The government has declared April 10 to 15 as Songkran holidays and signalled that festivities might be observed with physical distancing rules and other Covid-19 preventive measures in place.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is today expected to announce what’s allowed and what’s not.
The development has been welcomed by tourism authorities and operators in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Pattaya and Phuket, where Songkran is celebrated.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Chiang Mai director Pakkanan Winijchai told the Bangkok Post that the move offered a positive outlook for the province’s tourism prospects, especially when flight schedules returned to normal.
She said most tourists in Chiang Mai were Thais and tourism would follow the new normal guidelines.
“Over 50 per cent room occupancy is expected throughout the six-day festival, while more foreign tourists are expected at the end of the year if vaccine passports are accepted.”
Khon Kaen Tourism Business Association president Khemchart Somjaiwong said the province was famous for Songkran celebrations on Khao Niao Road. But he had proposed to the mayor that celebrations in Khao Niao Road be scaled down, with fairs and other tourism activities held in other areas in the province.
He said he hoped Songkran would generate 50 million to 60 million baht, half its usual revenue.
Pattaya Business and Tourism Association president Ekkasit Ngampichet said the relaxation of restrictions for the festival would stimulate tourism in the area.
He said tourism in Pattaya was showing positive signs with the vaccine rollout, reduced quarantine periods and easing of other restrictions ahead of Songkran.
“Most importantly, people are less worried about the virus and starting to travel again.
“We want the government to vaccinate the population, especially in tourist towns.”