There was no let-up in the action on the last day of Songkran on Friday, and across the country water was still being thrown about with abandon as Thais and visitors tried to forget the worries of drought days ahead.
In pockets of greater Bangkok, such as Nonthaburi, many people toned down their normal boisterous behaviour after being encouraged to conserve water by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Though not all.
Little Nong Scooter, a kindergarten student at Santa Cruz Convent School was enjoying her first full-fledged Songkran and punctuated her water spraying with squeals of delight.
"My aunt got me a water gun, but I like the fog sprayer. It's fun," she said as she took careful aim at a Bangkok Post photographer.
Her grandmother, Phongsuthorn Somcharoen, 62, who owns a Japanese takoyaki shop near Wat Sanam Nua in Pak Kret district, cast an experienced Songkran eye over the youngster.
"I know about the government's advice to reduce water, but I had no idea my little four-year-old understood this too. She's cooperating with the government," Mrs Phongsuthorn said, laughing.
Before the Songkran celebration, authorities at many levels took action to reduce the wastage of water during the festival because of the severe drought.
A boy scores a direct hit on Charoen Krung Road in Bang Kholaem district on the third day of Songkran. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
On Koh Kret, an island in Nonthaburi where many Mon descendants live, visitors crowded in as they do every year.
The community chief did not ban any activities, but the locals said they would obey regulations to conserve water.
"Even though we are not affected by the drought, we care about other people who are suffering," Charoenying Pimprathum, 45, said.
Ms Charoenying said she backed the call to scale down the Songkran celebrations and revert to the traditional method of rod nam dam hua, or sprinkling a small amount of water on others as a blessing.
"Teenagers should not forget our traditional way of life," she said.
Mon descendents on Koh Kret in Nonthaburi pour water into a Buddha image at Wat Poramai. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Pornchai Leksansern, 65, a shop owner in Pak Kret Market, said he had noted over the three days of Songkran that celebrations in general were quieter as people took heed of the drought.
"I have been living here since I was young. Songkran this year is the quietest celebration I have seen. I did not see many water fights from the back of pickup trucks, which is normally a common sight during the festival," he said. Mr Pornchai said he had asked his children to cooperate with the campaign to save water.
"I asked my children and cousins to reduce the size of their plastic water blowers and water guns during Songkran. They are not allowed to play with water before 4pm and have to stop by 7pm to save water."
He said they had griped about the restriction and were upset with his new rules, but he saw it as an opportunity to teach his young relatives to think about others and the difficulties they face. "I have taught my children that sometimes we have to think about others," he added.
Yet despite the intense campaign to save water and restrictions on sales of guns, locals in many areas continue to toss large buckets of water around and firing high-pressure weapons.
The no-alcohol policy also seemed to be ignored in some areas where celebrations reach a peak, but there have been no reports of serious problems.
A father and son tag-team in Siam Square shopping centre. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
City workers from Phra Nakhon district clean Khao San Road after another day of serious revelling. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Revellers hunch down in the back of a pickup on Charoen Krung Road in Bang Kholaem district, ready to spring up and open fire. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Mayhem in Siam Square shopping centre from Thais and foreigners. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Trees of flowers are put on display at the Ton Dokmai festival in Ban Saeng Pha of Na Haeo district in Loei province. Every Songkran, villagers make the trees and parade them through Wat Sri Pochai temple. (Photo by Kanchana Ayuwattanachai)
Heavy traffic clogs Liab Klong Thaweewattana Road in Bangkok as people head to the street in pickup trucks to join the festivities. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)