Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos Celebrate New Year

Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos began celebrating their annual days-long water festival, known as Thingyan in Burmese, on Monday April 13, marking the new year according to the traditional lunar calendar.

2015.04.21
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Villagers water Buddha statues to bring peace and good luck for them in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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Donation boxes and pictures of a new god are displayed inside a pagoda in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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People offer alms to monks to greet the New Year in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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Villagers pray for happiness before a paper boat in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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A woman tries to hit a pot in a traditional Cambodian game in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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A foreign visitor plays a traditional game called “Dan Deoum Slek Chhoeur” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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Women and men compete in a tug-of-war game called “Teang Prut” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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Tourists play a traditional game called “Ongkunh” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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Villagers pour water and powder on travelers to celebrate Khmer New Year in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/ Khmer Service

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People celebrate Thingyan (Water Throwing Festival) in Myitkyina, Kachin State, Northern Myanmar, April 14, 2015. Photo: RFA/Myanmar Service

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Tractor riders celebrate Thingyan (Water Throwing Festival) in Loikaw, Kayah State, Eastern Myanmar, April 14, 2015. Photo: RFA/Myanmar Service

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Youngsters celebrate Thingyan (Water Throwing Festival) in Yangon, Myanmar, April 12, 2015. Photo: RFA/Burmese Service

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Women dancing on a stage celebrate Thingyan (Water Throwing Festival) in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, April 15, 2015. Photo: RFA/Myanmar Service

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Locals and foreign tourists splash water on one another to celebrate the water festival which marks the country's new year in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on April 13, 2012. Photo: AFP

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Revelers throw buckets of water to celebrate the water festival, which marks new year in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on April 13, 2012. Photo: AFP

The water festival, known as Songkran in Thailand, marks the new year across Southeast Asia. Traditionally, people sprinkle water on their family members and elders and pay their respects to Buddha.

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