Songkran is a big deal in Thailand, their most important holiday. It is to the Thais what Christmas is to most western countries. People go back to their home towns to visit their families, exchange gifts and enjoy grand meals.
Traditionally the Thais would wash Buddha statues at this time of the year and use the 'holy' water to splash on people as a show of respect. Just like Christmas has turned into something more awesome that the traditional holiday, Songkran has degenerated into massive water fights and people roaming the streets with water guns soaking everyone. Awesome!
It is impossible not to get caught up in it, it's everywhere. You simply cannot walk down any street without getting soaked. Every house or shop has someone sitting outside with a hose or buckets of water.
