Songkran festival is the Thai New Near and is a nonstop three-day party between the 13th and 15th of April. Traditionally it is a celebration of age, and a time to renew family ties. Younger members of a family pour water over the hands of the older members, thus cleansing them of any impurities, misfortune and evil. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

     Although this is still the main underlying meaning behind Songkran, nowadays the festival has another side; a three-day, nationwide water fight. Weaponry ranges from small water pistols to giant tanks full of water and ice. People will load up the back of their pick-up trucks with masses of freinds and tanks full of water, with giant blocks of ice submerged inside them to keep the water shockingly cold. They will then drive around the town hurling water out of the side at anyone they see. People also line the streets, standing outside their houses with water pistols and the same big tanks, ready to attack any passing car or other household. On Songkran this happens everywhere, and so city centres generally become chockablock with traffic, and the streets turn into water world war three.

     Songkran is extremely fun, exceptionally interesting and a must-see for anyone coming to Thailand. Foreigners make great targets so you are likely to be soaked from the moment you walk out of the door to the moment the sun rises until it sets in the evening. The Thais are also extremely friendly towards foreigners so don't be surprised to be dragged into innumerable households and cars for refreshments and to help soak other passersby.