Today marks the official start of the Thai New Year. Taking a look at photos basically tells me it’s a giant water fight.

The holiday is celebrated throughout Southeast Asia and into Yunnan, China as well. Overtime it has evolved from the sprinkling of a bit of water on the elders as a sign of respect into the water festival pictured below. This time of the year things are downright hot in Southeast Asia, which is one reason for the evolution into a water fight, but truthfully I think it’s just a lot more fun this way.

In addition to the throwing of water in the streets, revelers often paint their bodies in chalk as well. Some say the practice goes back to the chalk used by the monks to mark blessings. Whatever the case it looks like a fun and chaotic festival to me.

IF YOU GO: The festival originally tracked to the Thai Lunar Calendar but has since been fixed on April 13-15 on the western calendar. This year that happens to be on the unlucky Friday the 13^th but next year it shouldn’t so be sure to find some cheap flights to Bangkok to join the fun yourself….just be sure to bring a super-soaker with you.