Hat Yai revives: Songkran breathes new life into city after floods

SONGKHLA - Several months after devastating floods submerged business premises and disrupted livelihoods, Songkhla is showing signs of recovery as an influx of tourists during the Songkran festival breathes new life into its economy.

Celebrated annually from April 13 to 15, Songkran marks the traditional Thai New Year. Rich in religious and cultural significance, the festival has also evolved into a major tourism event, drawing visitors from across the globe.

A Bernama survey in Hat Yai’s city centre found that what was once a subdued atmosphere has transformed into a lively scene, with thousands of local and international tourists crowding the main streets to take part in the annual water festivities.

Splashes of water, music and laughter now fill the city, reflecting a stark contrast to the post-flood conditions that had previously paralysed daily activities.

For small traders, the celebration presents an opportunity to rebuild their lives after enduring a challenging period marked by property damage and business disruptions.

A street food vendor, Somchai Wongsawat, 45, said the earlier floods caused significant losses as equipment and supplies were damaged, with some traders taking weeks to resume operations.

"During the floods, this area was deserted. Water rose into our shops, and we could not operate at all,” he said.

However, he noted that the situation has improved markedly, with the influx of tourists,s particularly from Malaysia, boosting daily sales.

"Business is very good now. Many tourists are coming, including from Malaysia. This is helping us recover gradually,” he added.

Another trader, Naree Chaiyaporn, 38, said this year’s Songkran celebration has brought renewed hope of recouping previous losses.

Although recovery remains incomplete, she said the increase in customers has strengthened confidence that the local economy will stabilise in the near future.

Meanwhile, local youths view Songkran as a symbol of the city’s resurgence following the disaster.

A university student, Anan Srisawat, 21, said this year’s celebration is particularly meaningful as it signals a return to normalcy after a difficult period.

"After the floods, many people felt sad and stressed. But when Songkran arrives, everyone comes out, celebrates and forgets their hardships for a while,” he said.

Another youth, Pimchanok Rattanawong, 19, said the festival is not only about enjoyment but also about restoring community spirit.

"Songkran makes us feel that the city is alive again. With so many tourists, the atmosphere has returned to how it used to be,” he said.

In addition to small traders, hotel and accommodation operators have also recorded a surge in bookings compared with the post-flood period.

A local hotel operator, Chalida Kittisak, 48, said occupancy rates have risen significantly since early this week, with most rooms booked by foreign tourists and Malaysian visitors.

"We are fully booked for several days throughout Songkran. This is what we have been hoping for after such a difficult period,” she said.

Bernama also observed that tuk-tuk drivers and transport service providers are benefiting from increased demand in line with the rise in tourist arrivals.

At the same time, local authorities have stepped up safety measures and traffic control to ensure the celebrations proceed smoothly and safely.

These measures include deploying security personnel at key locations and maintaining continuous monitoring to prevent any untoward incidents.

Overall, this year’s Songkran celebration not only reflects the vibrancy of Thai culture but also symbolises Hat Yai’s recovery as a tourism destination following the disaster.

Earlier reports stated that prolonged heavy rainfall caused severe flooding across eight provinces in southern Thailand, affecting nearly 360,000 people in 48 districts, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

The affected provinces, including Phatthalung, Satun and Songkhla, are among the key destinations frequently visited by Malaysian tourists, particularly during the year-end holiday season.

Hat Yai is located about 26 kilometres southwest of Songkhla City, which is the administrative and cultural capital. - BERNAMA