TONIGHT'S the night for the full-on Songkran water festival in Patong, beginning at 5pm with a traditional parade of monks down Soi Bangla. From then, the water pistols should start to emerge.

From 5.30pm, front and centre opposite Soi Bangla on the beachfront, contemporary dance performers will take to the stage. At 6pm, the Governor, Wichai Praisa-ngob, will formally open the Songkran Festival.

Later in the night comes a Songkran kids contest, followed at 8.30pm by a beauty contest and other activities going through to 11pm.

The water fight usually preoccupies everyone in and around Soi Bangla until late into the night.

On April 13, at 7am, there will be Thai music on the stage and at 7.30am, at the temple on the turn into Patong, there will be a rice-giving ceremony for monks. At 11am the monks will have lunch, then at 1pm begin a gentle water blessing ceremony for the elderly.

From 6.30pm until 11pm, there will be performances on the main Soi Bangla beach stage.

Songkran in Old Town Phuket, in the traditional heart of Phuket City, runs from April 13-15. The show begins from 6pm with dignitaries riding on traditional rickshaw tricycles to Soi Romanee. The governor is expected to arrive about 6.30pm to open the ceremonies.

Ice sculptors from many resorts are expected to show their skills, together with stalls selling local food and a general party atmosphere. The activities in the walking street of Thalang Road continue for two more nights.

On April 14 and April 15, tricycle rides will be available from 6pm-8pm. There's a cabaret, a string of performances, and a lot of fun anticipated.