The caretaker Cabinet Tuesday approved Friday January 2 as an extra New Year holiday, a government spokeswoman said.

 

Wirinthira Nathongborcharas, a deputy spokeswoman, said the Cabinet would like to boost tourism with the long New Year holidays from December 31 to January 2.

 

The Nation

 

 

Question: How does this boost tourism?

 

I can't believe it will bring more tourist here at this late date and I don't think most tourist care about this being a public holiday. Remember it was just a few months ago that the interior or health minister wanted to BAN alcohol during this festive season.

 

If the idea is to boost local Thai tourism, I would think they will spend the budget money they have if it was a 5 day or a 3 day holiday.

It seems strange to me too. Most of the time, when a public holiday is declared, the banks and government offices close. I didn't see anything about that, one way or the other, in the article, so that remains to be seen.

 

Just how that is supposed to boost tourism, other than perhaps for Thais themselves who are on a holiday within the country, goes beyond me.

Most overseas visitors who already have Jan 1 as a holiday will in any case be taking Jan 2 as well to make a long week-end. So it is zero encouragement to them. And some Thais may now decide to go overseas to spend their money there rather than in Thailand. How on earth this boosts the economy beats me.

Since it is a holiday maybe they will close the bars to prevent public drunkeness and motor vehicle accidents.

Seems like the clear idea is to give Thais the day off so they will boost tourism. Give them a 4 day weekend and they can travel within the country. Plus, don't most people get paid at the end of the month? So they will have money to spend.

 

Seems like a sensible idea given the circumstances.

IIt has just been announced that Jan 2nd is to be a business holiday as well as a public holiday.

 

So with the long shutdown for the banks, beware empty atm machines.