The Capital City’s Enduring Popularity
Bangkok remains the number 1 destination throughout the Songkran Festival in Thailand. Traveloka, a leading travel platform in Southeast Asia, highlights Bangkok as the top destination during the grand celebrations. The city remains the center of grand water splashing spots, cultural activities, and music festivals across various areas, showcasing its enduring popularity among tourists.
- Khao San Road, Silom, and Siam Square are popular spots for water splashing and cultural activities.
- Other cities, such as Chumphon, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Loei, and Nan, are gaining popularity as new tourist destinations.
- Thai tourists are seeking simple Songkran experiences, close to nature, culture, and unique local traditions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts that this year’s Songkran will generate over 26,564 million baht in revenue, with 7,324 million baht from international tourists and 19,240 million baht from Thai tourists. This represents a 7% and 9% increase, respectively, compared to last year.
| Revenue Streams | Amount (millions baht) | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|
| International Tourists | 7,324 | 7% |
| Thai Tourists | 19,240 | 9% |
| Domestic Tourists | 4,418,500 | 7% |
Traveloka data indicates the top 5 most popular destinations for Thai tourists are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phuket, and Hat Yai. These destinations combine tradition and relaxation, reflecting the preferences of Thai tourists.
“Bangkok is still the champion of Thailand’s Songkran celebrations, and we expect it to continue to be a top destination for years to come.” – Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson.
The Traveloka platform supports this trend with a special Songkran campaign, offering discounts up to 90% on flights, accommodation, and activities, both domestically and internationally. The ‘Worry-Free’ feature ensures convenient and safe booking with free cancellation, flexible changes, and comprehensive after-booking services, allowing tourists to enjoy the grand Songkran celebrations nationwide.
The Rise of Nature-Culture Tourism
Provinces such as Chumphon, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Loei, and Nan have seen a significant rise in searches for accommodation and tourist activities, increasing by 40-95% from last year. This trend reflects the behavior of Thai tourists seeking simple Songkran experiences, close to nature, culture, and unique local traditions.
- Thai tourists are seeking nature-based activities, such as hiking, trekking, and water sports.
- The government is promoting year-round tourism across every village, sub-district, and district.
- New tourist destinations are gaining popularity, offering a unique experience for tourists.
These trends highlight the unique characteristics of Songkran festivals across Thailand, attracting both Thai and international tourists who are eager to use the long holiday period for travel and sightseeing.
Supporting the Trend with Traveloka
Traveloka is supporting the trend with a special Songkran campaign, offering discounts up to 90% on flights, accommodation, and activities, both domestically and internationally. The ‘Worry-Free’ feature ensures convenient and safe booking with free cancellation, flexible changes, and comprehensive after-booking services.
- Discounts up to 90% on flights, accommodation, and activities.
- Free cancellation, flexible changes, and comprehensive after-booking services.
- Supporting the trend of nature-culture tourism.
These trends and highlights demonstrate the enduring popularity of Bangkok as the top destination during the Songkran Festival in Thailand, and the growing trend of nature-culture tourism across the country.
