Songkran is Thailand's traditional New Year celebration, held in April rather than on December 31.
The festival is best known internationally for playful water throwing, but its older customs are more ceremonial. Water is poured over Buddha images and the hands of elders as a sign of respect and cleansing. People also visit temples, make merit, clean homes, and spend time with relatives.
Songkran follows the traditional solar calendar and is observed in mid-April. Thailand officially celebrates the festival from April 13 to 15, although festivities in major cities may continue for longer. The timing reflects the hottest part of the year and the transition into a new annual cycle.
A common mistake is treating Songkran as merely a street water fight. The public water celebrations are modern, highly visible expressions of a festival whose religious and family practices remain central. The event is also celebrated in other parts of Southeast Asia under related names.