Spending during Songkran 2026 to fall by nearly 4%

Overall public spending nationwide during this year’s Songkran festival in mid-April is likely to drop by 3.7%, compared to last year, due mainly to the rising prices of fuel and other consumer products impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Thanavath Phonvichai, Rector and Chief Advisor of the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF), at the Bangkok-based University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), told the media this week that the overall cash circulation during the traditional Thai New Year festival 2026 will, thus, be about 129.6 billion baht.

He noted that it will also be the first time in four years that people’s spending on Songkran activities in Thailand will decline, recalling that the last fall took place after Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022.

He said, however, that more cash circulation is possible if a larger than expected number of foreign tourists visit Thailand to join the Songkran celebrations, especially those from key markets, including Malaysia, China and Europe.

Meanwhile, CEBF Director Umakamol Sunthonsurat revealed that a recent survey found the majority of respondents, or 58.2%, will not join this year’s water splashing fun, while 33% will opt not to travel.

Most of the respondents, or 56.6%, will be going out in their provinces, 5.5% will travel domestically, 36.5% of those interviewed will spend less because of the rising costs of living and only 0.7% will travel abroad.

Average spending by Songkran’s revellers domestically and overseas in 2026 will, therefore, be around 8,056 baht per head and 37,083 baht per head respectively, according to the CEBF director.