Thailand’s Tourism Authority remains optimistic about a prosperous Songkran festival, predicting an increase in tourism revenue despite recent concerns following a significant earthquake. The earthquake, registering at 7.7 magnitude, struck Myanmar but impacted neighboring Thailand, causing structural damage near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market. Concerns about the safety of Thailand’s high-rise buildings were prompted by the collapse of an under-construction building in the area.
In a recent press release, the Tourism Authority of Thailand projected that the Songkran festival, held annually in mid-April and renowned for its vibrant water celebrations, will generate 26.5 billion Thai baht (approximately $763 million) in tourism revenue. This forecast represents an 8% increase compared to the previous year, with an estimated 7.3 billion baht anticipated from 476,000 international visitors. Despite the earthquake’s immediate impact, which led to over 1,000 hotel cancellations, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects the disruption to be short-lived.
However, according to a Google-translated report shared on Facebook by the Thai Hotels Association, the earthquake might dampen the festival’s usual lively atmosphere. The association projects a 10%-15% drop in tourism income in the two weeks following the earthquake before returning to normal levels.
In the wake of the earthquake, Thai officials quickly moved to reassure tourists, emphasizing the country’s dedication to maintaining a safe environment. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, stated that Thailand “remains a safe tourism destination,” with continuous monitoring and safety inspections underway. Echoing this sentiment, the president of the Council of Engineers Thailand affirmed that all inspected structures conform to seismic safety standards.
Prominent accommodations like Lebua Hotels & Resorts have taken measures to reassure both guests and staff. Narawadee Bualert, president and CEO, reported that their Bangkok location in State Tower underwent inspections confirming its structural integrity. The hotel is actively updating its website with real-time safety information and engineering reports to maintain confidence among visitors.
Thailand has been addressing safety concerns among tourists, especially following the portrayal of human trafficking in a fictional popular Chinese film, which stirred public perception. However, the hospitality sector is witnessing renewed interest due to “The White Lotus” Season 3, filmed mostly in Koh Samui, and the country’s recent legalization of same-sex marriage, establishing it as a desirable destination for gay wedding celebrations in Asia.
In 2023, Thailand hosted around 35 million international tourists, nearing the pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019, as reported by the World Bank. Tourism officials remain confident about achieving their foreign arrival target of 38 million visitors in 2025, signaling strong recovery and growth prospects.
Most tourists, like Singaporean visitor Morgan Awyong, have not been deterred by the earthquake. Awyong described mildly unsettling moments during the quake but reported that he and his companions continued with their travel plans without significant interruption, reflecting the Thai tourism sector’s hope that others will follow suit.
As the Songkran festival approaches, Thailand’s tourism industry is eager to leverage these positive developments and overcome recent setbacks, reinforcing its status as a premier global destination.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/04/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-thailand-right-now-thai-officials-say-yes-.html
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Publish Date: 2025-04-04 12:51:00
