(14 Apr 2017) MASS WATER FIGHTS AS YANGON CELEBRATES THINGYAN
Revellers danced and were sprayed with water in Yangon on Friday (14 APRIL 2017) as the country ramped up its Buddhist New Year celebrations.
The festivities – known as Thingyan - began the day before in more restrained style with parades and traditional ceremonies.
As it’s the hottest time of year in Myanmar the dousing by high pressure hoses is just what many people want, though the boisterousness of celebrations like the one in Yangon also regularly leads to complaints about behaviour.
Authorities try every year to impose a little order on proceedings but with little success.
In the days of military rule Thingyan was seen as one way an oppressed population could let off steam and for that reason was often watched hawk-like by the authorities for any signs of disturbance, protest or uprising.
The country elected a civilian government in polls in 2015, the first truly free election for decades.
The New Year holiday in Myanmar this year runs until April 21st.
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
