Thailand declares extra holidays to spur tourism-reliant economy
More holidays are in line with the Thai administration’s move to designate next year as the year of tourism and sports
THAILAND’S Cabinet approved two additional holidays next year to encourage people to travel during the long weekends to stimulate tourism and support South-east Asia’s second-largest economy.
The special holidays on Jun 2 and Aug 11 next year, which fall on Mondays, will allow people to plan longer trips during those weekends, government officials said on Tuesday (Nov 12).
The Cabinet also declared Jan 2, 2026, as a holiday that will stretch the new year break to five days. Public holidays in 2025 will total 21 days, officials added.
Tourism-reliant Thailand has in recent years granted additional holidays to support its travel industry and ensure its recovery from the pandemic blow. The sector accounts for about 12 per cent of Thailand’s gross domestic product and nearly a fifth of jobs.
The declaration of additional holidays will also be in line with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration’s move to designate next year as the year of tourism and sports, said deputy government spokesperson Sasikan Wattanachan.
About 30 million tourists have visited the country so far this year, on course to meet the Thai government’s full-year target of 36.7 million.
In 2019, Thailand saw record foreign arrivals – almost 40 million – which generated US$60 billion in revenue.
Foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand – popular for its vibrant nightlife, beaches and national parks – is on course to top the pre-pandemic record next year as the recovery in global travel demand gathers momentum, online travel platform Agoda said last week. BLOOMBERG
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