Often touted to as the 'world's biggest water fight', the Songkran marks the traditional Thai New Year and is celebrated from April 13 to 15.
The celebration coupled with large amounts of water began as a way of pay tribute to family members, especially elders, as well as a potent symbol of spiritual cleansing and physical purification.
The name of the festival is a derivative of the Sanskrit word Sankranti, which is also the name of a Hindu harvest festival celebrated in India in January to mark the arrival of spring.
Over the years though the ritual has evolved into the massive water fight that dominates streets all over the country.
Even though the country faces its worst water crisis in nearly two decades, many places continued the water battles with traditional largess showing no signs of austerity.
One of the most popular locations to celebrate the Songkran Festival in the Thai northern region is Chiang Mai province, where the celebratory atmosphere is a sight to behold.
This year, Chiang Mai not only celebrated the water festival but also it’s 720th anniversary of the establishment of Chiang Mai city.
At Pratu Tha Pae, in the heart of Chiang Mai city, a large crowd of tourists already made their forts to start the water splashing fights.
This year Chiang Mai made some changes to the celebrations keeping in sight the severe water crisis being faced by their fellow countrymen.
The government had been promoting the use of water wisely during Songkran this year, prompting less tourists to stick around the water moats to join in the fun opting instead the use of water guns on the streetside.
But in the far south, celebration of Songkran was even more active despite of security problem, particularly in Hat Yai.
Hat Yai held ‘Midnight Songkran’ event which attracts many revelers to the region.
The holiday atmosphere in Hat Yai went in full swing as locals and foreigners came together to take part in a water fight celebrating the festival.
They were also seen gyrating to musical numbers and enjoying foam parties during the 'Midnight Songkran'.
Hat Yai celebrates the Songkran event by holding elaborate stage activities, as well being home to the biggest carnival parade in the country, providing visitors a glimpse of the caravan of beautifully decorated trailers, ballroom dancers, and a 'Miss Tourism' pageant contest that sees the winner take home a prize money of 30,000 baht.
The event brings life and colours to the nation even as it faces a severe water crisis marked by economic troubles.
