The traditional Songkran Water Festival officially began today across Thailand, transforming the annual New Year celebration into a massive nationwide water fight. Locals and an increasing number of international tourists braved temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius to playfully drench each other using water guns and buckets in major Bangkok hubs like Khao San Road. Originally rooted in quiet rituals of purification and family gatherings, the UNESCO-recognized event has now evolved into a vibrant global attraction. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul publicly marked the holiday by urging citizens to cherish their rich cultural heritage and warmly welcome the influx of foreign visitors.