BANGKOK, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- As thousands of fireworks illuminated the sky over the Chao Phraya River, marking the finale of the annual light festival, Thailand has signaled a step forward in its strategy to revitalize the tourism sector through the "night economy."
The Vijit Chao Phraya 2025 festival transformed Bangkok's main riverbank into an open-air cultural stage, with 15 curated locations ranging from historic sites and temples to bridges and contemporary landmarks adorned with multimedia light installations, laser effects, projection mapping, and drone shows.
Speaking at the closing night on Tuesday, Minister of Tourism and Sports Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn said the success of the festival reflects the role of major cultural events in stimulating travel demand and strengthening Bangkok's international appeal.
He noted that the event also demonstrates how creative programming can support tourism-led economic growth while enhancing the capital's global image during the year-end high season.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the 45-day extravaganza attracted over 1.7 million visits and generated an estimated revenue of at least 5.5 billion baht (about 177 million U.S. dollars).
Beyond the visual spectacle, the event served as a pilot for the government's broader "night economy" policy, designed to extend visitors' spending hours and encourage overnight stays.
"The night economy helps answer the proposition of stimulating tourism at night... causing new dimensions in using various activities to enhance the nighttime experience," TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool told reporters.
Thapanee added that this strategy would not be limited to major hubs like Bangkok, as the government plans to expand similar nighttime initiatives to "must-visit" secondary cities to distribute economic benefits more widely across the Southeast Asian country.
The number of foreign tourist arrivals is expected to reach 33 million in 2025, putting the kingdom on track to meet its full-year target, she said.
Many other sectors felt the economic ripple effects brought by the festival. River transport services recorded a noticeable increase, while benefits were distributed among hotels, restaurants, and local communities along the river, the TAT said.
Looking ahead, the tourism authorities have vowed to enhance the scale and presentation of next year's edition, with the goal of solidifying the riverside spectacle as a prominent platform for showcasing Thai cultural allure. ■