Songkran: Thailand celebrates Buddhist new year with water fights

People in Bangkok hold a large water fightImage copyright
EPA

Thais are celebrating this year’s Songkran festival, also known as the Buddhist New Year.

The festival, held between 13 and 15 April in Thailand, is also celebrated in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Songkran is often referred to as the biggest water fight in the world.

Images from across Thailand show large crowds of people taking part in festivities.

The holiday was traditionally marked by visiting family members and pouring water over Buddha statues.

People pour scented water over a statue of a BuddhaImage copyright
EPA

In this image, people sprinkle scented water over a Buddha statue.

Throwing water is meant to wash away bad luck from the previous year.

Elephants and people play with water during the Songkran water festivalImage copyright
Reuters

In this image (above) elephants and people can be seen spraying water.

People play with water pistols to celebrate the water festivalImage copyright
Reuters

Hundreds of thousands of tourists head to Thailand every year, mainly to Bangkok and larger cities to experience Songkran.

A reveller uses a water gun as people celebrate the Buddhist New Year, locally known as Songkran, in Bangkok on 13 April 2019.Image copyright
AFP

Many people can be seen in bright floral clothes as they take part in the celebrations. In this image (below) a young boy sits on a person’s shoulders as he is sprayed with water.

A boy sits on a person's shoulder while holding a water gunImage copyright
Reuters

On 15 April, the first day of Thai New Year, people gather at temples to offer food and new robes to the temple monks.

Revellers throw water on passing motoristsImage copyright
AFP

All photos copyright.

source: bbc.com