SongKran Festival, 16 April 2023

Songkran has Sanskrit origins dating back 3,500 years. Songkran means “step into” or “enter”. As the sun moves into the new astrological signs, it signals the beginning of a new year. The once delicate act of gently pouring wayer and sprinkling it on others to symbolise the concept of “washing away the past” has grown into a full-blown firing of water at friends and complete strangers with water guns. Yet, with typical Thai tolerance this exuberance is rarely ever prohibited; with the authorities also happy to take part in the fun.