Thailand's Water Festival Defies Fuel Crisis

Thailand's capital, Bangkok, erupted into the world's largest water fight on Monday. The event marks the start of Songkran, the three-day traditional New Year festival. The celebrations come despite a national energy crisis. A fuel shortage, triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran, has caused prices to spike. Costs are rising for everything from petrol to ice during Thailand's hottest month. The government and citizens have refused to let the crisis dampen the festivities. The country's bruised economy is seeing a welcome surge in tourist arrivals for the holiday. The water festival, which is also celebrated as Thingyan in neighboring Myanmar, involves public water throwing. It symbolizes washing away misfortune from the past year.