PHUKET: Phuket got wet today, not under a wicked tsunami but under a fun-filled deluge of water fired, splashed and heaved by people celebrating Thai New Year.

The Songkran Festival traditionally brings a watery celebration. To come just one day after Phuket quaked then knocked at the knees in fear seemed great timing.

Yesterday, the fear. Today, the fun.

Patong, yesterday afternoon a good place not to be, was today the only place to be on Phuket as the west coast nightlife hub celebrated its survival as only Patong can.

The town turned wet and wild as barechested tourists (only male tourists, we should add) armed themselves with the biggest pistols, rifles and wet weapons they could find and opened fire.

Plenty of chest-covered residents (females especially) joined in.

It's traditional for Patong to start the water fights well in advance of the rest of Phuket and Thailand. This year, the Patong head-start has been given the official backing of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Patong Municipality.

Phuket managed to dodge a bullet yesterday but today there was no dodging the bucket. And some of the water was iced.

More waterplay is scheduled for tomorrow.