Songkran

The Thai new year at the sun's entry into Mesha, the same astronomy as Vaisakhi and Vishu, and the same day. The water began as a blessing - poured over the hands of elders and over images - and has become three days of the whole country soaking each other in the hottest week of the year. Both meanings are still there.

The Thai new year at the sun's entry into Aries. The water began as a gentle thing - poured over Buddha images, and over the hands of elders for their blessing - and the street festival grew out of it. Sand is carried into temple grounds to replace what the year's visitors carried out on their feet.

Water scented with jasmine is poured over Buddha images and over the hands of parents and elders, who give a blessing back. Sand is carried into temple grounds to replace what was carried out on feet over the year. Then the streets, where nobody is exempt.

Thailand keeps three days from 13 April, Chiang Mai considerably longer. The same solar new year is Thingyan in Myanmar, Pi Mai in Laos, Chaul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia and Vaisakhi and Vishu in India - all reckoned from the identical astronomical moment.