Songkhla: The Deputy Government Spokesperson recently led a media tour to Songkhla to highlight the potential of the old town area and its soft power, particularly focusing on "Nora," a traditional Thai dance-drama. This initiative aims to promote Songkhla as a quality tourist destination. The first five months of 2026 saw more than 3 million visitors to the province, generating over 20 billion baht in revenue. The government is also implementing measures to address flooding concerns and build tourist confidence.
According to Thai News Agency, the media tour was organized by the Spokesperson's Office of the Prime Minister's Secretariat. Ms. Lalida Peritwiwatana and Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokespersons of the Prime Minister's Office, along with a group of government press corps, visited Songkhla Province. Their visit aligns with the government's policy, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, to promote quality tourism while boosting the grassroots economy and generating income for local residents.
During the tour, journalists explored historical and cultural attractions, including the Old Town of Songkhla, and attended a "Nora" performance, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. They also visited the Songkhla National Museum and Laem Samila, a significant landmark in the province. The visit underscored Songkhla's cultural and tourism assets, which the government aims to leverage as soft power to create added economic value and transform the province from a transit city into a quality tourism destination, thereby sustainably distributing income to the community.
After engaging in the activities and watching the Nora performance, Ms. Lalida extended an invitation to visit Songkhla Province, describing it as a multicultural hub with unique food and charming community lifestyles. She encouraged both Thai and international tourists to visit, noting the province's nearly 3 million visitors since the start of the year, generating over 20 billion baht in revenue. She also mentioned that Malaysian tourists often drive to the province.
Ms. Lalida addressed the aftermath of the Hat Yai floods in November 2025, stating that local residents are ready to welcome tourists back. She expressed confidence in the government's preparations to handle this year's flooding during the rainy season, aiming to reassure potential visitors.
Ms. Ploytalee highlighted the beauty of Songkhla's original city, both in architecture and cuisine. She invited cultural tourism enthusiasts to explore Songkhla, especially the Red Rice Mill (Hub Ho Hin) area, to learn about its history and cultural heritage. She noted the unaltered state of buildings and houses, now complemented by cafes run by locals who have returned to their hometown.
From January to May 2026, Songkhla province recorded a total of 3,125,475 tourist visits, generating over 20,636.15 million baht in revenue-8,879.13 million baht from Thai tourists and 11,757.02 million baht from foreign tourists. This reflects the province's potential to drive economic growth and provide tangible benefits to the community.
This media tour is part of the government's efforts to communicate the area's potential, support quality tourism, and leverage cultural capital for economic value creation. The involvement of the media is crucial in disseminating the image and identity of Songkhla Province, leading to community income distribution and the sustainable growth of Thai tourism.
Additionally, Ms. Lalida conducted an interview in Chinese, while Ms. Ploytale spoke in the Southern Thai dialect to invite tourists to visit Songkhla Province.