Songkran will be more lively but with cautious spending - survey

14 Sept 04:20 Key points summarised by AI

Songkran 2024 anticipates a livelier celebration with increased travel, yet attendees will exercise caution in spending due to elevated living costs and personal debt, according to a UTCC survey.
Survey respondents primarily plan to engage in merit-making (66%), paying respects to elders (42%), and water splashing (41.6%), with over half (51.2%) opting for domestic travel, mostly within their home provinces.
The festival is projected to generate 140-200 billion baht in spending and attract approximately 3.2 million foreign tourists in April, stimulating economic growth by 2.01-2.50%, despite road safety concerns.

Thailand secures US$200m World Bank loan for clean energy and low carbon cities

Yesterday 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).