Quake recovery subdues water festival celebrations in Myanmar

A man reacts as water is splashed on him during the Songkran festival in Prachinburi province, Thailand (Wason Wanichakorn/AP)

Several south-east Asian countries have kicked off their annual water festival holiday, but events in Myanmar are more subdued than usual in the wake of a devastating earthquake last month.

In Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, millions normally take part in a mix of raucous play with uninhibited splashing of water on friends and strangers alike, and sober ceremonies to show respect to one’s elders.