Volatile Liquidity

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The Thais will tell you that the annual Songkran festival (April 8 to 16) is all about thanksgiving and family reunions—and so it is. But the best part of it is the license to douse passersby with water. This practice is apparently a rite of purification, but given that temperatures in Bangkok at this time of year can easily reach 35°C, it's also a brilliantly timed excuse to cool off. If you happen to be in the Thai capital—or indeed in any one of dozens of towns and cities across the kingdom—don't think that your status as a visitor allows you to observe politely from the sidelines. Everyone, local or tourist, is fair game for a drenching. This may take the form of a genteel sprinkle, or a merciless soaking via bucket, water pistol, hose or even elephant.

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So don't go venturing onto the streets in your finest Prada, and find a watertight case for that digicam. For more information, visit tourismthailand.org.