A recent poll by Thailand’s Khon Kaen University has indicated that thisyear’s Songkran festival is likely to benefit from a more activeeconomy than in the previous year.

The survey, which wasconducted among 1,270 people aged above 18 across the country duringApril 3-6, estimated the extra spending of each respondent at 4,840baht. Most of their spending covers trips, special meals, gifts andwater-splashing implements. Around 40 percent of them believe that theeconomy during the Songkran holiday should be better than last yearthanks to the political stability.

Roughly 83 percent of therespondents plan to observe the Songkran festival in their residentialprovinces. Respondents planning to holiday abroad mostly pick Laos, HongKong, Japan and Singapore. Those choosing to vacation within thecountry mostly opt for Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket.

Themajority of the respondents also approve of the eight firm rules issuedby the Cabinet for Songkran revelers’ safety. The rules include a banon alcoholic drinks, the use of high-pressure water guns and the wearingof inappropriate clothing.

Asked with whom the respondents mostwished to celebrate Songkran, the most popular persons are businessmanTan Passakornnatee, actress Yaya Urassaya Sperbund and actor NadedKugimiya.-VNA