Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar - Lunar New Year celebrations to be held in April

The annual Lunar New Year is scheduled to be celebrated in parts of South East Asia between 12 and 21 April.

The Theravada Buddhist festival is known as Songkran in Thailand and will be held from 13 to 15 April.

Chol Chnam Thmey in Cambodia will be held from 14 to 16 April and Bpee Mai or Songkan in Laos from 14 to 16 April, and finally Thingyan in Myanmar will be held from 12 to 21 April.

Smaller-scale celebrations are also likely in China's southern Yunnan province and in Sri Lanka. The event is marked by ritual washing, hence it is often referred to as the Water Festival or Water Splashing Festival. The festivals can often last longer than the specified dates and are treated as public holidays in parts of South East Asia; with disruptions to private and public services, including public transport expected.

There are a number of security risks associated with the festival; including an increased risk of road accidents and an elevated risk of petty crime.

Other risks are associated with the celebrations; in 2010, multiple bomb attacks left at least ten people dead and over 100 injured at commemorative events in Myanmar's commercial capital, Yangon Yangon.

RPS advises travellers to the region during this period to be cautious, particularly in crowded public places and on public transport, and if undertaking road travel. Travel disruptions may be likely due to increased security measures and widespread participation in commemorations.

Contact [email protected] for any travel concerns or queries.

Photo: Bangkok, Thailand with thanks to www.louisianaconsularcorps.com