Eventually the original purpose of the holiday became secondary to the national water fight that is so loved by Thais and foreigners today. People grab whatever they can get their hands on– buckets, water balloons, water guns, a hose– and douse each other with water. Sometimes chalk or menthol (the latter causes a cooling sensation) is mixed into the water to create a paste which people smear on each other’s faces for good fortune.
The holiday now draws a huge number of international tourists who are eager to join in the water battle. Popular tourists destinations (like Phuket) are some of the most exciting places to be during Songkran. Chang Mia hosts one of the biggest Songkran celebrations, with a festival of performances, street food, and a procession of an image of Buddha.