Songkran, or the Thai New Year, is celebrated on April 13-15 every year. The celebration also coincides with the New Year of many other calendars in South and South East Asia, including the Tamils and Sikhs.
Songkran is traditionally a time to pay respects to elders and to visit the temples. However, the tradition has been overshadowed in recent decades by the ‘throwing of water’ celebration with people roaming the streets with containers of water, water guns, or garden hose to drench each other and passers-by.
The throwing of water is originated as a way to pay respect to people by gently pouring a small amount of water on other people’s hands. It is also meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad things away from the previous year… but obviously it’s all about fun these days.
The water throwing has become a major tourist attraction in Thailand every year, with travellers from around the world joining the water splashing festival.