Energy Crisis Casts Shadow Over Songkran As Thailand Tourist Arrivals Dwindle

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock and Tuwaedaniya Meringing

BANGKOK, April 5 (Bernama) -- The Songkran 2026 celebration in Thailand is facing mounting pressure as the global energy crisis dampens tourist arrivals and travel demand.

Traditionally a peak festive season marked by mass travel and vibrant water festivities, the Songkran holiday is unfolding this year against a backdrop of surging oil prices and geopolitical tensions, raising concerns across the tourism sector.

Malaysian tourists, who traditionally throng Thailand’s southern provinces during the festival, are showing weaker demand this year.

Hotels have reported significantly lower reservations for the Songkran period of April 10 to 13.

Hatyai-Songkhla Hotels Association President, Dr Sittipong Sittiprapha, said following the flood crisis that hit Hatyai and Songkhla last year, tourism operators had been preparing extensively to welcome visitors for Songkran. However, despite various promotional activities, many hotels have recorded occupancy rates of below 50 per cent for the festive period.

“We have been informed that many tour operators have cancelled trips to Thailand due to concerns over fuel shortages,” he told Bernama when contacted.

“This is a worrying sign for tourism in southern Thailand. Last year, about 30,000 rooms were pre-booked months before Songkran, but this year only around 15,000 rooms have been reserved,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said an assessment of the tourism situation in March 2026 indicated a slowdown in arrivals from long-haul markets, particularly from West Asia.

She said TAT is adjusting its promotional strategy by focusing on short-haul markets and encouraging lower-energy travel options amid ongoing global volatility.

“TAT is placing greater emphasis on travellers from short-haul markets such as China, Malaysia, and India, which remain large and high-potential sources.

“China, in particular, recorded a notable growth of 38 per cent in March 2026 compared with the same period last year,” she said.

She added that the impact of the conflict has been reflected in limited airline seat capacity and rising transportation costs.

The energy crisis, triggered by disruptions to global oil supply routes in West Asia, has pushed crude oil prices to above US$100 per barrel and significantly increased fuel costs worldwide.

In Thailand, diesel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, driving up transport and operational costs across the tourism industry.

Reflecting the worsening outlook, the kingdom has revised its 2026 foreign tourist arrival target to around 32.14 million, down from an earlier projection of approximately 36.7 million, as higher travel costs and economic uncertainty weigh on global demand.

-- BERNAMA