Tourists pack Hat Yai city ahead of Loy Kratong

SONGKHLA, Nov 21 (TNA) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Hat Yai district of the Thai southern Songkhla province said that the city's tourism atmosphere has started to become more active as the Loy Kratong Festival 2015 approaches, while forecasting that the business city would see a revenue of around a hundred million baht. Panu Woramit, director of the TAT's Hat Yai office said that hotel reservations in city are already 80 per cent booked,mostly by Malaysian and Singaporean tourists. And since it is currently a school holiday in neighbouring Malaysia, Mr Panu said it has caused the number of visitors from the country to increase by 20-30 per cent. He projected nonetheless, that the hotels and resorts within Hat Yai and Sonkhla provincial seat would be 100 per cent booked, as the event would also fall on the same days as the graduation ceremony of Prince of Songkhla University. The TAT Hat Yai office is expecting over 100 million baht to be generating next week. The Hat Yai business city has planned to organise the Loy Kratong celebrations in many locations, including at Sri Puwanart pond, the pier at Wat Hat Yai Temple, and the Hat Yai Municipality Park, as well as organise a street market along the Klong Toei Canal at Sam Chai road, to promote the conservation of Thai culture and traditions. (TNA)