Watch: Thailand brings in new year with huge water fight in Bangkok

People in Thailand rang in the new year with a giant water fight as part of the Songkran festival on Thursday, 13 April.

Thousands of locals and tourists armed with toy water guns will spray water at each other in Khaosan Road in Bangkok.

The name of the festival comes from a Sanskrit phrase meaning "passage of the sun."

The spectacle is carried out to symbolise the washing away of misfortunes and the ushering in of a fresh start.

Around 30,000 to 50,000 people are expected to gather in Khaosan each day during the three-day celebrations from 13 to 15 April.

Other Songkran traditions include waking up early to visit Buddhist temples to offer food and listen to monks.

People will sprinkle clean or scented water over Buddha statues to represent good fortune and purification.

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