Songkran is a term derived from the Sanskrit word, Sankranti { or, more specifically, Masha Sankranti } and used to refer to the traditional New Year for Buddhist calendar celebrate in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of northeast India, Thailand, parts of Vietnam and Xishuanghanna, China. It begins when the sun transits the constellation of Aries, the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, as reckoned by sidereal astrology. It is related to the equivalent Hindu calendar-based. New Year festival in most parts of South Asia which are collectively referred to as Mesha Sankranti. Although in some places they have their own names to name the Buddhist New Year festival such as: Pii Maii in Laos. Thingyam in Myanmar. Chaul Chhnam in Cambodia. 

   Anthropologists believe the origin of the festival lies in celebration of spring or harvest in agrarian community as well as religious. April is a month of very hot sun waves in south east Asian countries, to cool body temperature farmers might have enjoyed playing water and applying Dinsohphong powder { White Thai mud }. Later religious myth were associated with the festival. Thus, harvest or spring festival was evolved into a religious festival. 

   In Thailand, the Songkran celebration spans several days during mid-April, in some places up to a week, and is steeped in symbolic traditions and rituals starting in the morning. Visiting local temples and offering food to Buddhist monks are common practices. On this specific occasion, pouring water over Buddha statues is an iconic ritual. It represents purification and washing oneself from sins and bad luck. As a festival of unity, emigrants often return to their relatives houses. As a sign of respect, young people often pour water on the palms of the hands of the elderly. Revering the ancestors is also an important part of Songkran.

   This photographic work focuses on the playful and festive part of the celebration. Songkran is famous for water battles, which is why it is also called the water festival.