Devout Thais mark the end of Buddhist Lent with a colourful festival throwing lotus flowers onto boats carrying local religious leaders. The beautifully decorated vessels floated along canals in Samut Prakan, Thailand, carrying monks and Buddhist statues. The event - called Wan Awk Phansa - marks the end of the three month Buddhist Lent period. This also heralds the end of the country's rainy season and beginning of dry months ahead.