The smell of Pad Thai and the sounds of classical Thai music permeated the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre yesterday.
About 500 people visited the centre to get a taste of the southeast-Asian country.
The Songkran Water Festival, which is celebrated each year by millions of Thai people worldwide, is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from April 13 to 15.
Event organiser Chintana Chareornsittichai said the celebration was a way for Thai families from across the North Island to come together and celebrate the Thai New Year together.
Families from Taupo and Whakatane made the journey.