AIS sees massive increase in internet use over Songkran

The company attributed the jump to the government’s soft power and tourism promotion campaigns, which drew high numbers of foreign arrivals to Thailand to celebrate Songkran, internationally known as the water-splashing festival.

Songkran, which is the traditional Thai new year, was recently added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last December, further boosting its international recognition.

AIS also reported the top 10 locations where internet usage spiked during Songkran festivities across Thailand. They were: Khao Lam Road (Chonburi province), Patong Beach (Phuket), Khao Niao Road (Khon Kaen), Chum Phol Gate (Nakhon Ratchasima), Khao Suk Road (Ang Thong), ICONSIAM (Bangkok), Siam Square (Bangkok), Royal City Avenue (Bangkok), Khao Dok Kha Road (Phang Nga), and Khao San Road (Bangkok).

Provinces with the highest mobile internet usage were Bangkok, Chonburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Samut Prakan and Chiang Mai, respectively.

Meanwhile, provinces that showed the highest usage of home internet were Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Chonburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan. AIS noted that home internet usage during Songkran this year also grew 15.78% from the previous year, signifying that more Thais are spending the holidays at home with their families.

Other interesting statistics reported by AIS are as follows:

- CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok recorded the highest number of users of AIS Super Wifi, a free wifi hotspot service.

- Roads that were most used by internet users were Phetchkasem, Phaholyothin, Sukhumvit, and Mittraphap, respectively.

- Most popular social media among mobile and home internet users during Songkran were Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, respectively.

- Popular rewards for which users exchanged their AIS points during Songkran were: 100-baht discount coupon at Big C shopping mall, waterproof phone bag, and VIP membership for WeTV streaming platform, respectively.