Bangkok: The Khao San Road Songkran festival is witnessing an impressive turnout with expectations of more than 200,000 visitors today. Mr. Sanga Ruangwattanagul, President of the Khao San Road Business Association, shared insights into the festival, which saw over 200,000 attendees on April 14th alone, surpassing previous estimates despite initial concerns over declining tourist numbers.

According to Thai News Agency, prior to the festival, there were worries about a decrease in visitors due to the situation in the Middle East, leading to fewer European and American tourists, and a 20% drop in foreign tourists around Khao San Road. Domestic attendance was also expected to decline by 20-30% due to economic challenges and rising oil prices, coupled with the cancellation of events at Sanam Luang.

Despite these challenges, visitor numbers exceeded expectations significantly, driven by the influx of tourists participating in water festivities. AI cameras reported that on April 13th, about 100,000 people accessed the area from 1 PM to 10 PM, while April 14th saw over 200,000 visitors, with peak attendance between 7 PM and 10 PM. It is anticipated that today's numbers will surpass these figures as tourists converge on Khao San Road, even though access will be restricted at 10 PM for safety reasons.

In terms of revenue, spending during the festival on April 13th and 14th increased by approximately 20% compared to last year, with businesses generating an estimated 120-150 million baht. The overall revenue for the three-day event is expected to exceed 400 million baht, highlighting the economic impact of the festival despite some vendors reporting a 20-30% decrease in income due to an increased number of stalls and visitors prioritizing the festivities over shopping. Nonetheless, the purchasing power of Asian tourists, particularly from China and South Korea, has contributed to a significant boost in sales for local businesses.