April: Songkran

Each April, Thailand comes alive with Songkran – the country’s exuberant New Year water festival. Streets transform into joyous battlegrounds of water fights, as locals and visitors alike drench one another with bowls, hoses and water pistols to wash away bad luck and usher in fresh beginnings. Beyond the playful splashing, Songkran remains deeply rooted in tradition: families gather to pour scented water over Buddha images and elders’ hands in a gesture of respect and blessing; temples overflow with merit-making rituals and almsgiving. It’s a spirited blend of renewal, reverence and riotous fun that captures the very essence of Thai hospitality and optimism.