But if you can't make it for Songkran, there are other options.

"My favorite thing about Songkran is seeing families reunited and having a good time."

Indeed, this Songkran, those who don't support the red shirts will be all the more eager to get out of town.

He said the protest leaders would meet after the Songkran new year festival to "discuss our next move".

"You'll get grandma and grandpa in the same truck with the little kids who might be having their first Songkran," he says.

People celebrate Songkran by throwing water at each other.

Songkran is a popular festival in April which includes dousing using water.

"Songkran" signifies the sun's move into the first house of the zodiac.

In the southern part of Thailand, they call Songkran festival as free day.

There were funds gradually flowing back into the banking system after the Songkran holiday.

Songkran is a festival held every year in Thailand on April 13.

"We will stay at main protest sites during Songkran.

During Songkran, he said: "I try to stay away from the streets.

Financial markets were closed on Tuesday at the start of the Songkran new year festival.

People in this region always clean their house when approaching the Songkran Festival.

Financial markets are closed for the three-day "Songkran" festival that marks the new year.

The new year, or Songkran, began Monday and is traditionally celebrated over several days.

On the same occasion, paying reverence to ancestors is also an important part of Songkran tradition.

Local people come to bathe the footprint during Songkran.

There might be some profit taking ahead of the Songkran Festival starting this coming weekend.

Chinese scholars often trace the Songkran festival back to India.

Police statistics show that the death toll from road accidents doubles during the annual Songkran holiday.

For locals Songkran is a time to visit family, pay respects to elders and earn religious merit.

During the Songkran period, on 19 April every year, a procession carries the image around the village.

It’s not only panda day, but Songkran, the Thai new year.