View source for Thailand Kicks Off Songkran Water Festival With A Splash

BANGKOK, April 12 (Reuters) - Revellers in Thailand  [https://nhanlambangcap24h.com/ https://nhanlambangcap24h.com/] started the traditional new year or Songkran water [https://www.biggerpockets.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&term=festival festival] with a splash on Friday, cooling off from the city's heat by throwing water at each other on the streets of the capital Bangkok.<br><br>"(Songkran) has a lot of meaning to me because I could meet friends I hadn't met since high school or university. It's very fun to meet with my old friends," said 18-year-old local Chavanin Kalayanamitra.<br><br>Pouring water symbolises cleansing, reverence and good fortune in an ancient ritual that has grown in recent decades into what is sometimes described as the world's biggest water fight.<br><br>The boisterous festival, which officially lasts for three days but always goes on longer, is a major draw for tourists.<br><br>"It's like a completely different world, you know. We love it," said Flora, 30, a tourist from France.<br><br>People drenched in water sprayed each other with water guns on Bangkok's famous backpacker Khao San Road.<br><br>"We just flew to Thailand and it's amazing to be here for the festival," said Chloe, 25, another French tourist.<br><br>The festival, which is also celebrated in neighbouring Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, falls at the [https://edition.cnn.com/search?q=hottest hottest] time of year when temperatures can climb above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). (Reporting by Auswin Natrayon, Additional reporting by Carol Arao and Napat Wesshasartar; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng, Edited by Ros Russell)