PHUKET: A Bangkok newspaper editorialised today that the arrest on Phuket of a reputed murder-for-hire gang leader should leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth.

Is that taste tinged with metal?

Today the mah song warriors from Phuket City's Samkong shrine took to the streets for the Vegetarian Festival . . .

And the mouths of many were filled with knives, saws. spikes and other implements, all item not especially noted for their flavor.

What's safe to assume is that the utensils have not been used to prepare anything except vegetarian meals.

No. 10 on the list of Things Not To Do During the Vegetarian Festival is: ''Do not use any kitchen utensils or containers from nor have meals with people who do not attend the Vegetarian Ceremony.''

There's a bit of a puzzle, though, about No. 9 which says: ''Do not wear any fashion accessories with metal or leather.''

Clearly, a mouth full of metal is not considered an accessory or even fashionable, even though the parade comes each year, as regularly as Givenchy in Paris.

The list goes on:

No. 8: Gambling is prohibited

No. 7: No alcoholic beverage are allowed.

No. 6: No physical contact with the opposite sex

No. 5: Telling lies, being rude or cursing are not allowed

No. 4: Do not hurt or cause trouble to anyone

No. 3: Do not steal or take anyone's belongings

No. 2: Eating any kind of meat is not allowed

No. 1: Killing is prohibited

The street processions from Phuket's Toaist Chinese shrines continue each day until October 13, when they all congregate in Old Phuket Town in a fiery fireworks climax to the nine-day purification festival.

Tomorrow's parades at from Ban Tha Rue Shrine, Sapam Shrine, Jang Ong Shrine, Ban Pasak Shrine and Choor Su Gong Naka Shrine.

Choose your accessories carefully.