HAT YAI — The commercial and tourism hub of the South expects an influx of visitors from Malaysia and Singapore to spend 200 million baht on their Chinese New Year holidays.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects at least 35,000 tourists from the two countries will come to Hat Yai during the long holiday to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.
About 200 million baht could be circulated in the economy of Songkhla province during their stay, said Panu Woramit, director of the TAT's Hat Yai office.
His estimates are based on the hotel reservation rate in Hat Yai where 90% of all rooms have been booked by guests from Malaysia and Singapore.
The city launched its Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday and the event will run until Wednesday.
The Chinese New Year day begins on Monday. Monday and Tuesday are official public holidays in Malaysia and Singapore.