Downturn dampens Loy Krathong
Downturn dampens Loy Krathong
The economic downturn has hit the upcoming Loy Krathong festival hard with spending expected to grow by 5.7 per cent to Bt9.3 billion, the lowest growth in three years, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Thanavath Phonvichai, director of UTCC’s Economic Business Forecasting Centre, yesterday said consumers had been spending more cautiously during the crisis.
In addition, Loy Krathong this year in on November 2, which is a work day instead of a weekend day as in the past.
The UTCC survey found that people plan to spend an average of Bt1,272 per head during the festival. Of those planning to go out, Bt473 is for travel costs and Bt829 for items such as krathong, fireworks, alcohol and food, while Bt271 is the average cost of celebrating at home, with Bt866 for other expenses.
1 killed, 16 injured in hydrogen tank explosion in Loy Krathong festival in Tak
Tak – One killed and 16 people others were injured when a hydrogen tank for filling balloons exploded in a Loy Krathong festival in Mae Ramad district here early Sunday.
Police said the explosion occurred at 1 am.
Witnesses told police that the explosion occurred when the balloons vendor, a Burmese, was packing his things for returning home.
The man was killed by the explosion.