Through the Lens: Thai Songkran after the earthquake and EXPO 2025 in Osaka

A girl tosses a bucket of water as part of celebrations for the Songkran holiday that marks the Thai New Year, in Bangkok on April 12. Songkran was held from April 13 to 15, just weeks after a deadly earthquake struck the region on March 28. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 

An elephant sprays water during Songkran celebrations in Ayutthaya, Thailand, on April 13. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 

A woman sprays water in Bangkok on April 14. Songkran marks Thailand’s traditional new year according to the solar calendar. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 

People pray in Wat Klang Khlong Wattanaram in Ayutthaya, Thailand on April 13. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

People walk down a water-drenched Silom Road in Bangkok on April 14. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

Children celebrate Songkran in Ayutthaya on April 13. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

Songkran decorations are seen on display at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on April 10. Concerns over travel safety in Thailand after the recent earthquake have hit the country's core tourism sector, which has been trying to return to pre-COVID-19 levels. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

A water bucket is carried during a Songkran parade in Ayutthaya on April 13. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

A crowd participates in Songkran celebrations on Khao San Road, Bangkok on April 14. The splashing and spraying of water represents the washing away of sins and bad luck. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)

Elephants take part in a Songkran parade in Ayutthaya on April 13. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

Relatives of the victims of an under-construction high-rise building that collapsed during March 28’s earthquake pray during a religious ceremony in Bangkok on April 10. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

A worker walks near the debris of a building in Bangkok that collapsed in the earthquake. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

The Grand Ring, a symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka and one of the world’s largest wooden structures, is pictured on April 16. More than 140,000 people booked tickets to visit on opening day on April 13. While the venue was bustling despite worries over sluggish momentum, issues also emerged for the “line-free expo" that the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has aimed for. (Photo by Hiromasa Matsuura)

Performers dance at the expo’s opening ceremony on April 12. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

Flags of member countries are displayed at the expo’s United Nations Pavilion on April 16. (Photo by Kosaku Miimura)

The Gundam Future Next Pavilion, pictured at the expo on April 16. (Photo by Yo Inoue)

The Pasona Pavilion, pictured on April 16. A statue of Astro Boy, the pavilion’s “navigator,” is visible sitting on top of the right edge of the structure. (Photo by Yo Inoue)

Austria, a country famous for classical music, designed its pavilion, pictured here on April 15, under the theme of “Composing the Future.” (Photo by Yo Inoue)

A woman takes a selfie with Myaku-myaku, the expo’s official mascot, on April 14. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)

Long lines are seen at the expo’s entrance gates on April 13. (Photo by Yo Inoue)

A demonstration of Marubeni's flying car at the Expo on April 14. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

The India Pavilion was still under construction on the expo’s opening day on April 13. Some overseas pavilions were unable to open on time due to delayed preparations. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

A visitor in front of the Turkmenistan Pavilion takes a selfie with performers wearing traditional outfits on April 14. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

People watch the sunset from the top of the expo’s Grand Ring on April 13. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)