[Sdzqerty]

At least 61 per cent of foreign tourists now visiting Bangkok intend to take part in the Songkran celebrations, according to the result of a survey by Bangkok Poll released on Wednesday.

A minority, 15 per cent, said they would not, while the rest said they knew very little about the Thai New Year festival.

Of those who would take part in the celebrations, about 15 per cent planned to join in the fun on Khao San Road in Bangkok, 8.5 per cent at Pattaya in Chon Buri, 8 per cent at the resort island of Phuket, and 6 per cent at Samui Island off Surat Thani.

Asked what they were concerned about in joining the celebrations, the respondents pointed to safety of life and property (25.1 per cent), traffic jams (23.4 per cent), violent conduct by Songkran celebrants (17.2 per cent), sexual harassment (7.5 per cent), and political rallies (6.7 per cent).

Asked what major attractions drew them to visit Bangkok, 33.2 per cent mentioned ancient sites and artifacts, 19.8 per cent tradition, culture and folk arts, 16.4 per cent shopping venues, 14 per cent Thai food, and 11.2 per cent the hospitality of Thai people.

The poll was conducted on March 30 and April 1, with responses from 640 tourists at seven major tourist attractions in Bangkok. Most of the tourists polled were from Europe.