A CRACKDOWN in the leadup to Friday's Vegetarian Festival on Phuket began in Patong last night with the arrest of a woman for selling fireworks.
Make that a crack(er)down.
Malee Sudprasert, 48, was fined 1000 baht and had her crackers confiscated. She also handed over 50 sky lanterns to police.
The crackers were briefly on display, without the plumes of color and the loud bangs, at Kathu police station, which oversees Patong.
Sale of sky lanterns is banned because of the potential for damage from still-burning lanterns falling on rooftops or among dry timber. Wiring struts are also seen as polluting land or sea.
Police in Phuket City have warned people to guard their valuables in the vast throngs expected at this year's Vegetarian Festival, which mostly centres on the Chinese Taoist temples in an around Phuket City.
In previous years, tourists turning out for the festival have fallen victim to pickpockets, who are especially adept at removing wallets while photographers use both hands to concentrate on taking a picture.
In past years, bags have also been slashed with razors.
This year's festival has already drawn solid bookings at hotels in Phuket City, and the increasing number of people giving up meat for a year-round healthy lifestyle is expected to boost attendances at the daily parades.
The other noticeable trend has been for Western body-piercers to mingle among the crowds, admiring and photographing the temporary piercings of the festival warriors.
Adherents are expected to be warned as usual in the final days leading up to the festival to stick with the traditional sharp, fine prongs when piercing their cheeks, rather than the larger objects - trees, guns, bicycle struts - that can leave scarring.
Small firecrackers are permitted. Doctors usually have to attend to a spate of burns.
Activities begin with festival-eve ceremonies on Thursday. Parades continue until October 16, when the spirits of the gods are driven back into the sea.
Make that a crack(er)down.
Malee Sudprasert, 48, was fined 1000 baht and had her crackers confiscated. She also handed over 50 sky lanterns to police.
The crackers were briefly on display, without the plumes of color and the loud bangs, at Kathu police station, which oversees Patong.
Sale of sky lanterns is banned because of the potential for damage from still-burning lanterns falling on rooftops or among dry timber. Wiring struts are also seen as polluting land or sea.
Police in Phuket City have warned people to guard their valuables in the vast throngs expected at this year's Vegetarian Festival, which mostly centres on the Chinese Taoist temples in an around Phuket City.
In previous years, tourists turning out for the festival have fallen victim to pickpockets, who are especially adept at removing wallets while photographers use both hands to concentrate on taking a picture.
In past years, bags have also been slashed with razors.
This year's festival has already drawn solid bookings at hotels in Phuket City, and the increasing number of people giving up meat for a year-round healthy lifestyle is expected to boost attendances at the daily parades.
The other noticeable trend has been for Western body-piercers to mingle among the crowds, admiring and photographing the temporary piercings of the festival warriors.
Adherents are expected to be warned as usual in the final days leading up to the festival to stick with the traditional sharp, fine prongs when piercing their cheeks, rather than the larger objects - trees, guns, bicycle struts - that can leave scarring.
Small firecrackers are permitted. Doctors usually have to attend to a spate of burns.
Activities begin with festival-eve ceremonies on Thursday. Parades continue until October 16, when the spirits of the gods are driven back into the sea.
