… takes place every year in Thailand from April 13th-15th during the Thai New Year, more commonly known as Songkran.

Though the Guinness Book of World Records obviously hasn’t certified this fact, an estimated 60 million people (well, the population of Thailand, give or take a few million, plus many foreigners) throw and splash water at each other over this three-day period which celebrates the arrival of the new lunar year.

Pouring water over one’s hands is a common gesture of respect and blessing - also practiced commonly at weddings and funerals - but over the years, the New Year celebration gradually became more boisterous until it essentially became a huge water fight.

Today Songkran is one of the most popular festivals on the Thai calendar, when workers typically go back to their families in other provinces, while the tourists come for a great time, a huge water fight, and the great weather which precedes the coming rainy season.

To those of you reading - Sawasdee Pee Mai (Happy New Year)!