From fewer water guns to rising prices dampens this years Songkran

From fewer water guns to cancelled travel plans, rising prices brought by the Iran war have driven down expectations for spending during this wekeends Thailand's traditional new year, or Songkran, sometimes called the world's biggest water festival.



The boisterous event, officially set to run for three days is a major draw for tourists, as revellers in colourful clothes spray water on each other in an ancient ritual that symbolises cleansing, reverence and good fortune.



But spending this year is expected to fall for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic



Expenditure during the festival, usually one of Thailand's biggest spending periods, is forecast to fall 3.7% to about $3.5 billion, a university survey showed, with 36% of respondents planning to spend less.



Songkran usually sees many Bangkok residents travel back to their hometowns from the Thai capital, helping drive spending nationwide, but some are staying put this year as higher transport and living costs crimp household budgets.