The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that the Loy Krathong festival, on November 15, will generate about 6.9 billion baht in revenue across the country, about a 12% increase on last year, with the northern provinces being the favourite destinations for Thai tourists.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said today that she expects about a 9% increase in travel, involving about 1.99 million Thais during the festival, which, while it is not a public holiday, does coincide with the weekend.
More than 568,000 people are expected to travel to northern provinces, up 7% from last year, followed by about 380,000 people travelling within the central and western provinces. In Bangkok, more than 300,000 people are expected to celebrate the festival, an increase of about 7% from last year.
Thapanee said that the TAT plans to hold Loy Krathong activities from this Wednesday until Saturday, in the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal on the theme of “Amazing Night of Lights”. The other five major venues for celebrations are in Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Samut Songkhram and Roi-et.
