Songkran water festival, a traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated annually from 13 April to 15 April. It is also observed in other Southeast Asian countries such as Laos and Cambodia.

In Pics | Thailand celebrates Songkran Water Festival

Tens of thousands of people released flying Kongming lanterns by the Lancang River in Jinghong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Saturday to celebrate the New Year of the calendar of the Dai ethnic group.

Thousands of people release flying lanterns to mark Songkran Festival in Yunnan

Thais and tourists alike cooled off in the heat and marked the Thai New Year on Thursday by splashing water with elephants.

Water fight between elephants and people marks Thai New Year