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Songkran activities in Phuket
Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 3 April 2007 :-
South Songkran fest lures tourists
The upcoming Songkran festival is expected to draw more foreign exchange income to the South with various activities planned to entertain tourists.
Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Southern Office Region 4, covering Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, Suvalai Pinpradub said yesterday that Phuket would host "Songkran: The Water Festival on the Beach" and "Phuket Bike Week 2007" to celebrate Songkran festival.
Highlights of the event include a Miss Songkran International 2007 that will allow foreigners to join the contest. Tourists will enjoy "Midnight Songkran" on the beach from 7pm until midnight and also other traditional Thai cultural events.
"We want both foreigners and Thai tourists to splash water on the beach to reduce traffic jams," she said.
The Big Bike event is forecast to draw more than 2,500 bikes from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the US and Europe. In addition, Big Bike riders from Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan, who have never been to Thailand, will join the activities.
A big concert will be arranged to celebrate the 120-year relationship between Thailand and Japan. Japanese popular singer Yamabuki Minato will join the show in Phuket. Members of her 100 fan clubs in Japan will follow her to watch the special concert.
Suvalai said the event is expected to generate Bt800 million in foreign exchange income.
So far, 90 per cent of hotel rooms in Phuket and Phang Nga have been booked.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork
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