TAT estimates 18.5 billion baht spent during Songkran festival

13 Sept 10:22 Key points summarised by AI

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates revellers spent 18.5 billion baht during this year's Songkran celebrations.
This figure contributes to TAT's broader 2024 tourism revenue forecast of 2.38 trillion baht, including 1.5 trillion from foreign visitors and 800 million from domestic tourists.
Comparatively, pre-pandemic Songkran in 2019 generated an estimated 135 billion baht in spending, with most people opting for personal or public transport and short trips.

The Buddha Comes Home

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.