“It seems that overall tourism during Songkran this year will likely not be so bustling, maybe due to the economic turndown, which is a major cause for many people not travelling,” Somrak Kumputch,TAT deputy governor, said yesterday.

China is now the largest source of festival-goers, so Tourist Police are staying alert for travellers from that country.

Somrak said more than 2.1 million foreign tourists would celebrate Songkran from April 13-17.

Bt6.9 billion spending

They would spend Bt6.9 billion while here, which is up 3.5 per cent from last year.

The Thai Hotels Association has reported that arrivals might not peak this month despite the grand festivities.

Many in-bounders cannot secure seats, as more Thais are going abroad.

Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, president of Airports of Thailand Plc, said 3.9 million passengers would pass through its six international airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai.

The six airports would handle 16 per cent more travellers from April 8-18, or a total of 361,837 per day.

Flights are expected to increase 10 per cent to 24,227 through AOT‘s airports.

To provide assistance and convenience to holidaymakers, Tourist Police have called all personnel to be on alert during the festival particularly for Chinese, who are expected to flock to the country this month.

Pol Maj-General Surachet Hakphan, commander of Tourist Police, said more than 30,000 Chinese would travel to Thailand per day from April 11-17, or more than 200,000 during the seven-day period.

He has ordered his officers at all major destinations across the country to closely monitor tourist venues.

The major provinces and cities getting extra attention are Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Udon Thani, Koh Samui and Pattaya.

However, there’s no report of international crimes plotted against the country at this time.