Hat Yai—
At 8:00 PM, on April 12th, 2024, Hat Yai local media reported on the atmosphere at the Hatyai Midnight Songkran 2024 event on Saneha Nusorn Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla. More than ten thousand people including both Thais and foreigners enjoyed the summer festival.
Hat Yai Municipality, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and relevant agencies held the Hatyai Midnight Songkran 2024 event from April 12th to 13th to boost local tourism and form a good impression on tourists. Moreover, it would stimulate tourism economies for the locals.
According to Hat Yai local media, a large number of tourists visiting Hat Yai, Songkhla increased by 12% or 120,000 more individuals compared to the previous year due to improving tourism circumstances.
It was reported that the increasing number of tourists resulted in full bookings of more than 30,000 rooms from hotels in Hat Yai, and Mueang Songkhla.
Mr. Somphon Chivawattanapong, the president of the Songkhla Tourism Industry Council, publicly revealed that a Malaysian tour agent had trouble booking rooms for their 380 Malaysian tourists.
The Malaysian tour agent reportedly brought more than 380 Malaysian individuals with 13 buses to Hat Yai at 9 PM, on April 12th. However, the tour agent did not reserve rooms for them in advance, leaving them to have no room to stay at night and some bus drivers decided to travel back to Malaysia.
Somphon reportedly stated in the incident that more than 30,000 rooms in Hat Yai and Mueang Songkhla were indeed fully booked. However, the issue was handled by the relevant agencies.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
