Myanmar: Thingyan water festival kicks off / Update

Event

Myanmar's traditional Thingyan water festival kicked off on Friday, April 13. Celebrations will continue through Monday, April 16, ahead of the Burmese new year (April 17). During the festival, roads and streets will likely be crowded with people dancing to music and dousing each other with water to symbolize the washing away of the sins and moral impurities from the old year. Security measures have been reinforced ahead of the national celebrations, notably in the former capital of Yangon. 

Context

Similar water festival celebrations also take place in other Southeast Asian countries (Laos, Thailand, Cambodia). In Myanmar, the Thingyan water festival is the largest and most popular of 12 seasonal festivals held annually.

Advice

Individuals present in Myanmar over the next few days should be prepared for associated disruptions and should avoid gatherings if they do not want to be soaked, minimizing travel by foot in favor of journeys by taxis or private cars.