Lt Col Seksan Komsakorn of Patong Police notified Phuket Gazette reporters that three main checkpoints for the Patong area have been set up – at Patong Hill, on Soi Bangla, and on the road out of Patong and into Karon.

“We have organized police patrols for day and night shifts to accommodate tourists during this festival. Be warned, sexual harassment will be strictly prosecuted,” he added.

Water gun vendors, however, complained to local media that it feels less crowded now than it has been in previous years.

“I sold [lots of] guns every year, but it seems there are fewer customers this time. We’re hoping that more people will come out in the evening. Until then, we are making good money by selling cold water to tourists,” one vendor told the Gazette.

Vendors are selling the water guns at a 100-800 baht, depending on size and functionality.