Governor warns on festival fireworks

PHUKET TOWN: Tourists and locals have been warned to be cautious with fireworks during this year’s annual Vegetarian Festival. In festivals of the past, scores of people have required hospital treatment. The warning came from Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi in advance of this year’s festival, to be held from October 5-15. Vendors traditionally sell firecrackers – some of them oversized and dangerous – along the routes to popular shrines. The festival usually closes with a three-hour parade accompanied by thousands of fireworks ignited by celebrants who pack the streets of Phuket Town.