Each Bangkokian expected to spend more on New Year celebrations

BANGKOK, December 16 (TNA) - The Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) foresees that each Bangkokian should spend more on the upcoming New Year celebrations, at 6,300 baht on average. Based on its recent survey, the established private think tank reported on Tuesday that Bangkokians have a tendency to spend about 6,300 baht each for the forthcoming New Year celebrations, which is higher than last year's average figure of 5,700 baht per head, and they should mostly spend on food, beverages and tourism. According to the Bangkok-based research firm, gift baskets should remain to be the number one choice for New Year presents, followed by applications on smartphones or tablet computers, namely stickers, particularly among teenagers and working people in the capital. KRC also predicted that at least 25 billion baht should be totally changed hands by Bangkokians during the coming New Year Festival, a 8.2 per cent year-on-year increase, compared with a 8.5 per cent year-on-year increase in 2013, caused by impacts from rising costs of living. Despite the higher costs of living, the leading private think tank found, over 76 per cent of people in Bangkok attached their importance to New Year festive activities under their more-careful spending plans. (TNA)