New Year festivals are making Thailand fun again, minister says
The New Year countdowns held across Thailand are inspiring confidence among tourists and reinvigorating the kingdom’s reputation as a destination for festivities, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said.
He made the comments during the "Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023 @Hatyai" in Songkhla on Sunday.
Phiphat said the countdowns are stimulating domestic travel and drawing international tourists, especially from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
At least 50,000 domestic and foreign tourists will visit Songkhla and adjacent provinces for the New Year festival and they will generate more than 1 billion baht in revenue, he said.
"The countdowns across Thailand will help raise the country's image and increase confidence among tourists," Phiphat said.
He reiterated his ministry’s forecast that 25 million international tourists will visit Thailand this year and they will generate at least 2.38 trillion baht in revenue.
Countdowns were held at Bangkok's Iconsiam and Wat Pho Pier, and in other locations nationwide, including in Chonburi's Pattaya City and at Chiang Mai's Tha Phae Gate.
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