Biggest water festival of thirsty world - PHOTOS

Armed with water guns, travelers have been streaming into Thailand over the weekend for Songkran, the country's most popular festival that runs April 12-15.

On Saturday Thais kicked off their New Year festival and the official start of summer as they do every year -- with chaotic water fights and nonstop partying.

Splashing water is traditionally used during Songkran to pay respect and wish people good luck, but it has also evolved into a wild nationwide water fight.

Click here for our travel guide to Songkran, complete with tips on how to avoid wet powder and why you should bring a plastic bag as well as detailed rules of engagement.

The revelries can be dangerous -- especially on the roads.

Dubbed the "seven dangerous days of Songkran," the festive week often records an alarmingly high number of accidents.

The current road death toll for this year is 218, said Thailand's Interior Ministry road safety center on Sunday, nearly double the already high daily average of deaths from road accidents.

In 2012, the Bangkok Post reported that a total of 320 people were killed around this time.

The biggest cause of death was drunk driving.

/CNN/