The Soft Power Strategy Committee is to request about 270 million baht from the government for the promotion of this year’s Songkran Festival, in an attempt to make it part of the country’s soft power. It is expected that the event will attract more foreign visitors to Thailand and generate about 35 billion baht revenue, according to Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary of the committee.
He said that the money will be used to fund activities related to Songkran in Bangkok and elsewhere, as well as a promotional campaign which is expected to kick off in February, ahead of the festival in April.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai party and vice chair of the Soft Power Strategy Committee, presided over the launch of “Bangkok Design Week 2024 yesterday, which showcases various designs and creative works by Thai designers and artists from across the country.
Srettha claimed that over two million people have visited Bangkok Design Week over the past six years, which has had a significant and positive impact on the Thai economy, adding that the creative industries support the growth of Thailand’s soft power through exports of creative products and services.
