For myself and most other farang Songkran is about running around town assaulting old women and children - and everyone in between - with the biggest water gun money can buy.

A photograph of Palermo, Italy.

When most people think of Thailand and big cats they think of the ethically dubious Tiger Temple but not far away from there is a place where backpackers can get up close and personal with a tiger but do something far more worthwhile for the creatures than exploiting them for a cool social media profile photo.

In April the thoughts of most visitors to Chiang Mai are focused on the upcoming Songkran celebrations with arrivals timed to bloat the city’s populace in the days in and around the middle of the month. Earlier arrivals though will not only have the opportunity to bag their accommodation before prices rise but also to witness the under the radar Poi Sang Long Festival.

Leaving home to work overseas as a freelancer is a life-changing decision, says Connor Davies. You might be slightly nervous at the prospect of moving to a completely new country, but that’s fine: Fear is something that you can overcome, and when you succeed it makes the experience even sweeter.

A photograph of Myanmar.

A photograph of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A photograph of Cameron Highlands, Malaysia.