Traditionally a time to pay visit to elders and family, prayer, cleansing and renewal, Songkran has evolved into probably the world's largest water fight lasting up to a week in Northern parts of Thailand.
The water throwing originated as a way to bless people, by capturing the water used to cleanse Buddha images or shrines and sprinkling the passers.
Nowadays, as it falls during the hottest days of the year, the emphasis is on water-fighting with hoses, buckets and waterguns, widely celebrated by foreigners, tourists and locals.
The water is often mixed with mentholated talc and the use of chalk is common to cover faces to mark blessings.
