With the mercury hitting almost 40 deg C in Bangkok, the blasts of water-hitting revellers crowded along the Siam walking area were a welcome respite on the hot Thursday afternoon.
Peals of laughter and music filled the air as thousands thronged the lanes, splashing water and firing water pistols at friends and strangers to celebrate the first day of the traditional Thai New Year holiday, also known as Songkran.
The festivities along Siam were part of nationwide celebrations that will last for five days in 2023, marking the return of mass water-splashing activities. These were relatively muted in the last few years due to Covid-19 restrictions that curbed large gatherings and tourism.
This story is from the April 14, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the April 14, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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