Yes, it's the same days every year. Thailand begin their New Year a day earlier than Laos on April 13.

Lao New Year celebrations can start early as we have seen with the case in Sydney, Australia.

In Laos too, celebrations start early, some people still continue partying even after April 16, but you can't throw water on people after April 16.

Here's a spontaneous question:

Will the 'innocent' be exempt from these waterfights? Or is it just a given that if you happened to find yourself in between the crossfiring, you, too, are going to end up doused like everyone else?

William, That's right. Last year, a pregnant woman was just sitting in the park, and she got hit in her stomach by a water bomb by a passing car. She's crazy to be out and about when she knows that people will throwing water left, right and centre. They probably didn't mean to throw it towards her, but it hit her hard and it hurt her too.

Larp Dip, If you're caught in the crossfire, you will doused like everyone else. Strangers are allowed to wet each other during the Lao New Year. If you don't want to get wet in Laos, not a problem, stay indoors for a few days.

No, I won't be in the war zone. I'll be in the comfort zone during the Lao New Year.

It's a different kind of fun, if I may put it that way. 

Sabaidee pi mai. Have a fun and safe holiday everybody.

As we enter the Lao New Year in 2011 (which is the year of the Rabbit, and 2554 in the Buddhist calendar), we take a look at some of the images that represent Lao Pride.
























Happy New Year Everybody