With assistance from its mahout, an elephant blows water from its trunk to locals and tourists in Ayutthaya province, central Thailand. The annual Songkran festival, which heralds the traditional beginning of the Thai New Year, is celebrated throughout the country. Once again, officials down here on the coast are calling for a more cultural approach to what has turned into 10 days of water splashing fun for some and madness for others. Locally, the wet and wild celebrations are supposed to take place a week later, on April 18 in Naklua and April 19 in Pattaya. But we all know this doesn’t happen, no matter who’s in charge. Note: On Thursday April 19, Beach Road Pattaya will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
