India, April 10 -- Every April, Songkran transforms Thailand into a high-energy celebration of water, renewal, and cultural memory. Marking the Thai New Year from April 13 to 15, the festival is best known for its city-wide water fights. But beneath the playful chaos lies a deeply rooted tradition.

At its core, Songkran is a celebration of beginnings. Observed as the traditional Thai New Year, it centres on purification, family, and respect. Homes are cleaned, temples fill with devotees making merit, and scented water is gently poured over Buddha statues and elders' hands. These rituals symbolize washing away past misfortune and inviting good fortune for the year ahead.

On the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, that transformat...