Market vendors are reporting a surge in plastic water gun sales as both Thais and tourists prepare themselves for the looming Songkran water battles, officially the first since pre-pandemic days (although last year there was plenty of unofficial Songkran water celebrations).
Songkran has been a muted affair since April 2020 due to Covid-19, but as the pandemic abates, the government has given water fights the go-ahead for the first time in 3 years.
The result, according to a Nation Thailand report, is a surge in the sale of super soakers across a number of markets in the Wiset Chai Chan district of Ang Thong, north of Bangkok. With temperatures currently soaring across much of the country, millions of Thais and foreign tourists are expected to cool down by indulging in water fights during the Thai New Year holiday, which begins on Thursday and ends Monday.
As life gradually returns to normal following the Covid-19 pandemic, market vendors are reporting a roaring trade in water guns, buckets and bowls – all the accoutrements of a fierce water fight. And while the sale of high-pressure water guns has been banned for the last 4 years, Nation Thailand reports that they remain available online (and not really that hard to find if you were looking for one).
Market traders are also reporting a brisk trade in traditional Songkran items, including Nam Ob, the perfume used to make fragranced water, which is sprinkled on the elderly and Buddha images. Also selling well are supplies of Din So Phong, the perfumed chalk powder used to dab on people’s faces during Songkran (sometimes with a bit of chilli added to make it sting!).
Meanwhile, tourism officials are rubbing their hands, expecting around 13.5 billion baht in revenue from domestic tourists during the holiday period. This would be a 22% increase on last year’s 11 billion baht but well down on the 2019 Thai New Year celebrations.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand says it expects Thai tourists to take around 3.8 million domestic trips this Songkran, up 14% from 3.34 million last year.
Prior to the pandemic, domestic tourism revenue hit 11.64 billion baht during Songkran 2019.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
