For three days every year, Thailand transforms into a wet and wild party. But this ancient festival is far more than just a raucous good time.

Every year from 13-15 April, Thais across the country cool off and celebrate new beginnings with what is arguably the nation's largest and most important festival: Songkran. Tied to the Thai New Year and the close of the annual rice harvest season, this annual celebration is all about purification, honouring elders and fostering a sense of renewal. However, it's most well-known among travellers as a raucous country-wide splash fest.

"The most famous part of the festival is the massive water fights," explained Worapa Angkhasirisap,director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. "People of all ages take to the streets armed with water guns and buckets."

Viewers of the latest season of The White Lotus recently got a glimpse of this when three unaware travellers were dropped in the middle of a town-wide Songkran celebration. "Why is everyone carrying those guns?" one of the women asked. Within moments, the trio were being chased through the streets by water gun-wielding children and smiling revellers before seeking refuge in a convenience store, bewildered and soaked to the gills.

Despite its White Lotus portrayal, these water fights are generally a friendly and joyous part of the festivities that visitors are welcome to take part in. In fact, hordes of travellers now descend on Thailand each year to take part in what is commonly called "the world's biggest water fight". Yet, the festival's modern popularity among international travellers belies Songkran's deep roots.

Meaning "to enter" or "move forward" in Sanskrit, Songkran occurs when the Sun moves to the Aries constellation – the first sign of the Zodiac. Some scholars believe the Unesco-inscribed festival harks back to an ancient Hindu festival called Makar Sankranti and was adopted by the Khmer Empire that ruled Thailand in the 11th Century. Today, Songkran is all about making a fresh start, with water symbolising the washing away of the previous year and purification.

During the three-day........

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