Choose your weapons

Songkran's water warriors are swapping their heavy weapons for something lighter this year. Spirits dampened by political turmoil and pockets emptied by the recession, most revellers are choosing lowpower, lowpriced water guns.

"Expensive, hipower models aren't selling well this year," says says Jiraphat Theeradejsahasab, a vendor in Bangkok's Sampheng area. Small guns featuring cartoon characters are his bestsellers. At Bt30 they're popular with children, who don't need to ask parents for extra money to buy them.

Politics poops the party

Hong, a water gun retailer and wholesaler, says shops have held off buying large consignments because they fear the political protests will keep many wouldbe revellers indoors. But she expects sales to take off in the next few days as the holiday gets underway.

Little cartoon squirts

Among Hong's huge range of guns in every shape and size, the most popular with buyers this year are cartoonbased models featuring characters like Dragon Ball Z, Mickey Mouse, Kero and Doraemon.

Also flying off the shelves is a gun that comes with a mini umbrella to offer the warrior some protection.

Retail prices at Hong's shop range between Bt30 for a little squirt to Bt600 for a pumpaction cannon.

Splashing out on Khao San

Ratchanee Laoudom, 25, was shopping at Hong's for water guns she could sell on Khao San Road, something she does every year. It's a profitable business, and this Songkran she'll invest twice as much money buying guns as last year.

Ratchanee, 25, says foreign tourists prefer smaller water weapons and they tend to buy them onsite in the heat of the battle. "Even water bowls sell well when the wet stuff starts to fly," she adds.

Water warrior Jakkrit Naothong, 21, says he and his friends have chosen mediumsize, moderatepower guns for the coming week's wars on the streets of Bangkok. He says he's ready to rumble - and get wet.