Costlier Valentine's
Consumer spending on Valentine's Day is expected to jump 8.72 per cent to Bt1.87 billion, from Bt1.72 billion last year, due mainly to rising gift prices and more travel destinations, a business poll conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce showed yesterday.
However, the poll showed that people would prefer to stay at home rather than go out, because they were worried about more bomb attacks. Thanawat Polvichai, director of the Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, said people were self-conscious about spending during the festival, reflecting a slow-down in consumer confidence. Rising prices for Valentine's Day products will increase the value of this year's spending, although people's behaviours are likely to remain the same as for last year, he said. A poll conducted from January 29 to February 4 found most consumers planned to spend money on the same sort of things they did during last year's Valentine's Day festival. Most said they would buy - in descending order - flowers, chocolates, dolls and greeting cards. They will also spend money at restaurants, cinemas and karaoke parlours. The survey covered 1,222 people nationwide aged 15-60. About 68 per cent of respondents expected to spend the same amount of money as last year, 18 per cent more and 14 per cent less. The survey found that on a per-capita basis, people would spend an average of Bt651.75 on Valentine's Day. People aged 23-29 are expected to spend the most. Moreover, as Valentine's Day comes from Western culture, the poll found that only 48 per cent of Thai respondents saw any significance regarding the day. Of these, teenagers valued Valentine's Day more than any other age group, said Yajai Chuwicha, director of the Chamber Business Poll. Most people still consider Father's and Mother's Days their most important days, followed by their birthday, New Year's and Christmas, the Songkran festival, religious holy days and Valentine's Day. Yajai said this implied that Thais still valued family and the importance of religion over Valentine's Day, which is a Western festival. In addition, the poll showed that people shared the same viewpoint of Valentine's Festival causing a spike in the prices of goods, particularly flowers and other gifts. They also believe the festival results in a heightened risk for women and teenagers. To ensure the safety of women and teenagers, Yajai said the poll suggested that parents should closely monitor their children, while police need to step up surveillance of high-risk areas for woman. Petchanet Pratruangkrai The Nation ------------------------------------ Romance and roses Spending for Valentine's Day this year is expected to rise by 9 per cent to Bt1.87 billion. Estimated outlay by age group is: Age/Total spending (Bt mn)/Average per person (Bt) Below 16/167.14 16-18/240.25/591.42 19-22/491.96/683.4 23-29/562.28/653.17 30-39/379.99/914.23 40-49/25.3/706.11 Over 50/9.45/942.86 Total 2007/1,876.37/651.75 Total 2006/1,721.72/542.58 Flowers remain the most popular Valentine's items among Bangkokians. Item/% of respondents Flowers/32.8 Chocolate/20.8 Dolls/16.2 Greeting cards/16.1 Other gifts/14.2 Source: The Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting
|
