Majority of Thais plan New Year travel, Seek cash handouts from government to boost tourism

A recent poll revealed that over 56% of Thais plan to travel during the upcoming New Year holidays, with more than 90% opting for domestic destinations.

However, alongside festive travel plans, nearly 60% of respondents expressed a desire for cash handouts from the government as New Year gifts to stimulate the economy and tourism.

Key Findings of the Survey

The poll, titled “Thais and New Year’s Gifts from the Government,” surveyed 1,246 respondents nationwide from December 3-6, 2024, exploring public preferences on holiday travel, spending habits, and expectations for government intervention.

• Travel Plans:
  • 56.02% of respondents plan to travel during the New Year.
  • Domestic travel dominates, with more than 90% choosing destinations within Thailand.
• Spending Habits:
  • Only 9.64% of respondents planned to spend over 20,001 baht, reflecting cautious spending amid an economy still in recovery.
• Government Gift Preferences:
  • 59.95% cited cash handouts as the most desired government New Year gift, emphasizing their potential to stimulate the economy and tourism.
  • Other popular measures included reducing utility and energy costs (58.03%) and policies to lower the cost of living (53.17%).

These findings highlight significant financial burdens facing Thai citizens, with respondents prioritizing practical solutions over traditional holiday gestures.

Public Expectations of Government Action

The survey also explored public opinion on the government’s role during the New Year period:

• 60.76% believe it is the government’s obligation to provide New Year gifts.
• 51.95% emphasized that these gifts should directly address public needs.
• 48.81% stated any gift would be acceptable if it benefits citizens.

Respondents also outlined urgent issues for government intervention ahead of the New Year, including:

• High cost of living: 66.48%
• Drug problems: 57.51%
• Flood/drought crises: 56.46%

Expert Opinions on Sustainable Solutions

Pornpan Buathong, president of Suan Dusit Poll, noted that the survey results reflect deeper structural challenges within the economy, particularly the high cost of living and low economic stability.

“The government should leverage the New Year season to implement long-term economic policies. Temporary measures like cash handouts must evolve into sustainable solutions to ensure economic stability and improve citizens’ quality of life,” Pornpan said.

Similarly, Asst Prof Anchalee Rattana, a political science lecturer at Suan Dusit University, stressed that New Year policies should address structural issues, enabling citizens to “live with dignity, have adequate resources, and maintain self-respect.”

A Call for Sustainable Economic Policies

The poll results underline the need for government action that extends beyond seasonal gestures. While measures such as cash handouts and cost-of-living reductions are popular, they also represent an opportunity for the government to establish a sustainable economic direction, ensuring a better quality of life for all Thai citizens throughout the year.