People to Spend Bt135 Billion During Songkran Holiday

BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) - The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce predicted that people would spend 135.84 billion baht during the Songkran holiday, slightly more than last year due to several concerns. Thanavath Phonvichai, vice president of the UTCC, said the estimation was based on the university’s survey before the Thai New Year festival. He said that the expected spending would rise by only 2.76% from 132.13 billion baht spent during the previous Songkran holiday because people tended to prefer short-distance vacations as they were concerned about very hot weather, thick smog, traffic congestion and high costs of living. Most surveyed people said they would shop, visit respectable people and relatives, have parties, splash water and make merits during the long holiday. Asked about their desired blessings on the occasion of Songkran, many respondents said they wished economic growth, unity among Thai people, improved income distribution, solutions to high costs of living and reduction in inequality. Asked which politicians to whom respondents would like to extend Songkran wishes in person, they mentioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, followed by Future Forward Party leader Thanthorn Juangroongruangkit and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (TNA)