Songkran Festival 2026 exceeded expectations, generating over 30.35 billion Baht, a 6% increase. TAT attributes success to international appeal, cultural charm, and strong partnerships, boosting tourism sustainably and globally.

Songkran Festival 2026 Success

Bangkok, 14 April 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports exceptional performance for the Songkran Festival 2026, with tourism exceeding expectations nationwide during 11–15 April. Generating over 30.35 billion Baht in revenue, a 6% increase from last year, the festival reflects strong confidence among Thai and international travelers, elevating its status as a world-class cultural event.

Cultural Highlights and Visitor Engagement

TAT Governor, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, emphasized the festival’s global appeal and successful collaboration between government, private sector, and communities. Key celebrations in Bangkok, like the Maha Songkran World Water Festival at Benjakitti Park, welcomed over 108,000 visitors. Saneh Art by Songkran at Lumphini Park captivated young audiences, reinforcing the festival’s cultural resonance through engaging programs.

Regional Celebrations and Economic Impact

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya’s “Songkran with Elephants” and traditional northern ceremonies highlight regional cultural depth. In the South, Songkhla saw significant tourism growth, with over 36,000 Sadao border crossings and events like SUNGAIKOLOK Midnight Songkran. Overall, international arrivals reached 500,000, while domestic tourism hit 5.96 million trips, driving both revenue and Thailand’s reputation for high-quality cultural experiences.

Source : Thailand’s Songkran 2026 drives nationwide momentum with 30.35 billion Baht projected revenue

Other People are Reading

India’s equity indices jumped 1.6% on Wednesday, tracking gains elsewhere, after reports of a second round of talks between the US and Iran boosted market expectations of the war in West Asia ending soon. The optimism remains tentative as investors weighed Donald Trump’s rhetoric on the resumption of peace talks between Washington and Tehran against the US blockade of Iranian ports, keeping oil prices elevated.

Some Recovery Since Ceasefire

The NSE Nifty ended at 24,231.30, up 1.6% or 388.65 points over Monday’s close. The BSE Sensex finished at 78,111.24, up 1.6% or 1,263.67 points. Indian markets were shut on Tuesday for Ambedkar Jayanti.

“Trump’s remark that there will be no need to extend a ceasefire has led investors to believe that the US and Iran may be on the verge of a peace deal,” said Dharmesh Kant, head of research, Cholamandalam Securities. “At the same time, until the Strait of Hormuz opens completely, markets will be walking on thin ice.”

Trump, according to news reports, said that the US-Iran peace talks could resume in Islamabad over the next two days following the breakdown of negotiations over the weekend. Earlier, the US said its navy had blockaded traffic to and from Iranian ports in response to Iran’s disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures rose 1.6% to $96.2 a barrel on Wednesday after dropping 4.6% on Tuesday. Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea gained 2.1%, and Taiwan climbed 1.2%. Japan, China and Hong Kong rose between 0.1% and 0.4%.
The halt in the offensive has been reassuring for equity investors with the Sensex and Nifty gaining nearly 5% from oversold levels since the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran began on April 8.
The Volatility Index (VIX) — the street’s fear gauge — fell 8.9% to 18.7, as the market rebound eased near-term risk perception. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net ₹666.15 crore on Wednesday. Their domestic counterparts sold shares worth ₹568.98 crore. So far in April, global investors dumped shares worth ₹48,198.7 crore .

The momentum of the rebound could carry the main indices even higher. “The prudent rally since April 2 has recovered 50% of the previous fall at 24,278 levels,” said Vipin Kumar, AVP, equity research and PMS, derivatives and technical analyst, Globe Capital Market. “Any close above 24,350 levels can propel Nifty towards 24,650-24,800 levels if there is no escalation.”
All sectoral indices closed higher on Wednesday.

Walmart is giving one of its most recognizable brands a fresh look for the first time in more than a decade.

The retail giant announced Wednesday that it is rolling out a sweeping redesign of its flagship Great Value label, spanning nearly 10,000 food and household products. The effort marks the brand’s first full refresh in over 10 years and the largest private-label update in Walmart’s history.

“Great Value has earned customers’ trust over decades, and while the brand is getting a fresh, modern look, what’s inside isn’t changing,” Scott Morris, senior vice president of private brands at Walmart U.S., said in a statement. “Customers will continue to find the same trusted products at the same every day low prices they rely on.”

MORE THAN 40,000 BICYCLE HELMETS SOLD AT WALMART RECALLED OVER ‘SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH’

The redesign introduces more modern packaging, clearer labeling and a more consistent visual system across products.

Walmart says the updates are intended to make items easier to identify on shelves, with standardized nutrition placement and clearer visual cues for shoppers.

WALMART CUSTOMERS SEEKING VALUE DRIVE SALES HIGHER

Great Value products are already found in roughly 90% of U.S. households, and the company says they help families save an average of 35% annually.

The new look will roll out gradually over the next two years, beginning with salty snacks and expanding across store aisles.

The move underscores Walmart’s continued investment in its private-label brands as consumer preferences evolve, according to the retailer.

ESTÉE LAUDER SUES WALMART OVER ALLEGED COUNTERFEIT BEAUTY SALES

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

The company has also said it plans to remove synthetic dyes from its private-brand foods by January 2027.

“We believe great design should be accessible to everyone,” David Hartman, vice president of creative at Walmart, said in a statement. “At our scale, that means creating something that works clearly and intuitively across thousands of individual items, so customers can find what matters, faster. We’ve built a system that does exactly that, bringing consistency, clarity, and a sense of discovery to every shelf.”

A federal jury in New York delivered a major blow to Live Nation Entertainment on Wednesday, finding the concert giant and its Ticketmaster subsidiary liable for monopolistic practices in the ticketing industry.

The verdict stems from a sweeping multistate lawsuit that accused the company of using its dominance in concert promotion and ticketing to stifle competition, inflate prices and limit consumer choice, according to the complaint.

Live Nation shares dropped about 6% in afternoon trading after the verdict, while competitors surged. Vivid Seats jumped more than 9%, and StubHub climbed roughly 3.5%.

HOLLYWOOD TITAN BELIEVES AI IS A ‘REVOLUTIONARY MOMENT’ RESHAPING INDUSTRIES

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called the ruling a “huge win for consumers,” arguing the company maintained a “stranglehold” on the multibillion-dollar live entertainment sector.

“I am proud that our office has been part of a bipartisan coalition that continued this case under extraordinary circumstances and took it to a jury,” Sunday said in a statement.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also hailed the outcome as a “landmark victory.”

“We just won our trial against Live Nation Concerts and Ticketmaster,” James wrote on X. “A jury ruled in our favor and is holding the companies responsible for their illegal monopoly that cost consumers millions of dollars.”

SEATGEEK JOB POSTING TOUTS $25K SEX CHANGE PERK, 6-FIGURE SALARY

The lawsuit, joined by dozens of states, alleged Live Nation engaged in anti-competitive tactics, including locking venues into long-term exclusive agreements and leveraging control over major tours and artists to pressure venues.

Jurors concluded the company’s conduct led fans to overpay by about $1.72 per ticket, according to Bloomberg News.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
LYV	LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT INC.	155.82	-10.46	-6.29%
SEAT	VIVID SEATS INC	7.42	+0.63	+9.28%
STUB	STUBHUB HOLDINGS INC	7.14	+0.24	+3.48%

A judge will determine penalties and potential remedies in future proceedings.

NEW DISNEY CEO JOSH D’AMARO OFFICIALLY TAKES THE REINS FROM BOB IGER

Live Nation, which recently reached a settlement with the Department of Justice, is expected to appeal the verdict, Bloomberg News reported.

“We’re obviously disappointed,” Dan Wall, a lawyer for Live Nation, said in a statement. “The game is not over by any means.”

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

Live Nation did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Thailand’s central bank has cut its 2026 GDP growth forecast and warned of virtually unlimited downside risks as the ongoing Iran war disrupts tourism and drives up import costs.

Thailand’s Central Bank Warns of Severe Economic Impact from Iran War

Key Details:

• The Bank of Thailand revised its 2026 GDP growth forecast down to 1.3% (from 1.9% in December), assuming the war ends in the second half of 2026.
• Tourism from Gulf countries fell to near zero in March due to airport closures caused by Iranian attacks, with those visitors normally accounting for 7% of total tourism spending.
• Malaysian tourist numbers are also declining due to high fuel costs discouraging cross-border travel.
• Inflation is forecast to reach 3.5% under the baseline scenario; interest rate hikes are considered unlikely unless inflation persists beyond a year.
• The previously expected $12 billion current account surplus may need to be revised downward, potentially turning negative.
• Capital outflows in February and March were described as manageable, with flows returning to positive territory in April.
• Bangkok will host the IMF-World Bank autumn meetings in October 2026, which officials hope will showcase Asia’s economic resilience.

Thailand is among the world’s most exposed economies to the Iran conflict due to its heavy reliance on imported energy, and the central bank’s stark warnings highlight the broad regional economic risks if the war continues.

Thailand’s Worst-Case Economic Scenarios Amid Prolonged Iran War

If the Iran war continues beyond a few months, Thailand faces severe economic contraction, with GDP growth potentially falling to 0.2% and inflation surging to 5.8%, driven by energy shocks, tourism collapse, and capital flight.

• In a prolonged conflict scenario (6–9 months), oil prices could climb to $135–145 per barrel, triggering a global downturn and slashing Thailand’s GDP growth to 0.2% while inflation spikes to 5.8%
• If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, disrupting over 20% of global oil shipments, Thailand’s economy could slow further, with growth potentially dipping below 1%.
• In an extreme scenario, oil prices could reach $200 per barrel, though analysts consider this unlikely; even $130+ per barrel for three months would sharply raise inflation risks.
• Foreign investors have already pulled back sharply, with $823 million net selloff in equities and $705 million in bond outflows in March — the largest combined outflow since October 2024.
• The Thai baht has depreciated nearly 3% since the war began, with forecasts predicting a slide to ฿35 per dollar if the conflict drags on.
• Tourism from Gulf countries has fallen to near zero, and Malaysian visitors are declining due to high fuel costs, both critical to Thailand’s economy.

Why It Matters: Thailand’s heavy reliance on imported energy and tourism makes it uniquely vulnerable; without policy flexibility or fiscal room, prolonged conflict could push the economy into contraction, erasing recent hopes for reviva

Other People are Reading

A majority of India’s top brokerages saw a decline in active clients — defined as users transacting at least once a year — in FY26, signalling a slowdown in retail trading activity amid a year of sharp swings for markets.

Six of the top 10 brokers posted a year-on-year decline in active client base for the financial year ended March 31, data from NSE showed.

In percentage terms, Upstox saw the steepest decline in active clients at 27.64%, followed by Zerodha at 12.62% and Motilal Oswal Financial Services at 11.14%, according to exchange data. Angel One’s client base fell 10.75%, while HDFC Securities and Kotak Securities posted declines of 8.75% and 6.82%, respectively.

The total number of active clients on NSE declined to 4.57 crore at the end of FY26, compared with 4.92 crore a year earlier.

Broking officials said the drop reflects a combination of market volatility, regulatory tightening and a shift in investor behaviour.
“Higher volatility compounded by geopolitical uncertainty, tighter regulations in the derivatives segment, and a selective investor mindset have all reduced trading activity, especially among new participants,” said Krishna Rao, MD & Co-head — Equity Broking Group, JM Financial Services.Segment-wise, the cash market had 3.58 crore active clients, while the futures and options segment had about 85 lakh. The combined active client base across segments stood at 3.79 crore.

Ashish Rathi, head — Retail Business at HDFC Securities, said volatility driven by tariffs and geopolitical tensions kept returns muted and slowed new client additions.

“A large portion of retail investors have also been focused on mid and small caps, which haven’t performed well over the past year, due to which many are sitting on losses and are less active in the market,” he said.

For the year ended March 31, the Nifty fell 5%, while the Sensex declined 7% from a year earlier. The Nifty Smallcap 250 and Nifty Microcap 250 dropped 5.4% and 8.7%, respectively, while the Nifty Midcap 150 rose 1.6%.

“Retail clients are becoming more mindful about risk, costs and market conditions, and this could be healthy for overall market quality going forward,” said Rao. “I feel the key challenge now is not adding new accounts, but converting passive account holders into consistently engaged investors.”

Market leader Groww, along with ICICI Securities, SBICAP Securities and Dhan, saw an increase in active clients during the period.
In terms of rankings, ICICI Securities overtook Upstox to become the fourth-largest broker by active clients, while SBICAP Securities and Dhan moved ahead of Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

Oil prices inched lower in early Thursday trade as markets grew hopeful that the U.S. and Iran may extend their two-week ceasefire and continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the West Asia conflict. Sentiment was further supported by reports that Iran could allow ships to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, easing supply concerns.

The White House said on Wednesday it was hopeful of reaching an agreement to end the conflict with Iran, but also warned that economic pressure on Tehran would intensify if it does not cooperate.

Crude oil price on April 16

Brent crude futures fell 44 cents, or 0.5%, to $94.49 a barrel at 0021 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined 70 cents, or 0.8%, to $90.59 a barrel.

According to a Reuters report, one source briefed by Tehran said that the country may permit ships to move freely along the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz if a deal is struck to avoid further escalation.

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has caused the largest disruption ever to global oil and gas supplies, with Iran restricting traffic through the strait, a key route that accounts for around 20% of global oil and LNG flows.
Meanwhile, U.S. and Iranian officials are considering returning to Pakistan for another round of talks as early as this weekend, after discussions ended without progress on Sunday. Pakistan’s army chief, acting as a mediator, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday in an effort to prevent further escalation.

What are experts saying?

Until a formal agreement is reached and normal navigation resumes, WTI prices are likely to remain volatile within the $80 to $100 range.

Brokerage firm Macquarie noted that even if tensions ease, oil prices are likely to stay supported in the $85 to $90 range, with a gradual move toward $110 as flows through the Strait of Hormuz normalise. It added that if disruptions extend through April, Brent could still rise to $150 per barrel.

Looking ahead, crude prices could move higher from current levels. According to Kayanat Chainwala of Kotak Securities, oil may rise to $120 per barrel in the near term and potentially touch $150 if the conflict continues.

Nuvama Institutional Equities echoes the same view. The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles around 20 million barrels per day, could push crude prices to the $110–150 per barrel range.

Market experts believe crude may be entering a structurally higher price phase. Ajit Mishra, Senior Vice President at Religare Broking, said the current ceasefire is temporary and a return to pre-war levels of $70 to $75 could take several months. In the near term, he expects crude to remain within a range of $80 to $85 on the downside and $95 to $100 on the upside.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)