A Songkran water fight took place at a basketball court in Hong Kong’s Kowloon City – “Little Thailand” – on Saturday.

Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The Thai water-splashing celebration was moved off the streets, with pre-registration required and participant numbers limited, after three were arrested last year for allegedly splashing police.

Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Alice Mak, home and youth affairs minister, said on Saturday that the new location was an effort to expand the scale of the New Year festival.

Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The traditional festival symbolises cleansing, and the washing away of misfortune.

Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival in Kowloon City on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival in Kowloon City on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival at a Kowloon City basketball court on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival in Kowloon City on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Songkran water splashing festival 2024
Songkran water splashing festival in Kowloon City on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

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Kyle Lam is a Hong Kong Baptist University graduate who has worked as a photojournalist and reporter since 2013. His work has been published by HK01, the European Pressphoto Agency, Bloomberg and Ming Pao. Lam is the recipient of several prizes from the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association and Human Rights Press Awards.