HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, his royal consort HRH Princess Srirasmi and HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti pour scented water over Buddha statues yesterday. Below, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti plays with a traditional toy at the event.

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over an event to promote family ties on Family Day yesterday.

His royal consort HRH Princess Srirasmi, HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana and HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti accompanied the Crown Prince to the event at a sports field in Bangkok's Dusit district.

There were performances, games and food from the country's four regions at the event, which was part of a project he sponsored.

The Crown Prince paid his respects to Buddha and also let people pour water into his palms.

Meanwhile, more than 70 per cent of 1,502 people polled by Ramkhamhaeng University say they will sprinkle older relatives with water and seek their blessings during Songkran, the Thai New Year.

Around 1,300 tourists from China arrived on chartered flights to celebrate the festival at Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Chon Buri.

Some of the Malaysian tourists who took part in the Hat Yai Midnight Songkran in Songkhla returned home after the celebrations yesterday.

Locals in Nakhon Phanom's Renu Nakhon district celebrated the festival in the tradition of the Phu Tai tribe. There were reports of quarrels and sexual harassment among teenagers in Phichit, as well as traffic congestion on some roads.

Daily Xpress