Thailand prepares for Songkran Festival

BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) – People around Thailand are gearing up for the traditional Thai New Year of ‘Songkran,’ with rising sales of flower pattern shirts beating last year’s overall record. In Mae Sot, Tak province, a severe drought had sparked a shopping spree among Myanmar people crossing over from adjacent Myawaddy Province. In southern Thailand, Malaysian and Singaporean tourists are thronging Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, energizing downtown tourism ahead of the water splashing festival. Surapol Kampalanonwat, president of the Tourists Business Federation of Songkhla, said on Monday at least 50,000 tourists were expected to visit Hat Yai, and at least 300 million baht would change hands during the New Year. (TNA)