Hat Yai plans to hold New Year countdown

SONGKHLA, Dec 12 (TNA) -- The public and private sectors on tourism in Hat Yai district of Thai southernmost province of Songkhla are in preparations to hold the New Year countdown event in the heart of the city to attract more tourists to the business district. Chairman of the Songkhla Tourists Business Federation Surapol Kampalanonwat said currently, a large number of Malaysian tourists are very interested in joining in with the countdown event in Hat Yai, as most have already booked local accommodations. He said the federation has evaluated that all hotel rooms would be reserved for the New Year just like previous years, as visitors are quite confidence in the security and safety measures implemented by the government. He noted that the presently sluggish economy in Malaysia has also prompted those who like to travel far away to visit closer destinations instead, like Hat Yai district in Songkhla province, which across the border of Malaysia. Mr Surapol has projected that the district would see no less than 200 million baht in revenue during the New Year festival, where the Hat Yai City Municipality Office has planned to join forces with various other agencies to organise a countdown festival to welcome both domestic and international tourists. (TNA)