Songkran: Selling High-Pressure Water Guns Could Land You in Jail

[Jacob Maslow]

Tourists celebrating Songkran in 2014

The sale of high-pressure water guns during the Songkran festival could land you in jail for up to five years. The Royal Thai Police Consumer Protection Division warned of the consequences of selling prohibited water guns, which may also lead to a fine of 500,000 baht. Those who are responsible for importing the guns face even harsher penalties of up to 10 years in jail or a fine of up to 1 million baht.

Just recently, the division seized 48 high-pressure water guns on Khao San Road. Officials campaigned for safe water gun use during Songkran at Klong Thom and Khao San.

The division’s warning comes on the heels of the Seven Days of Danger campaign launch. The annual campaign, which runs until April 15, is designed to reduce the number of road fatalities during the Songkran celebrations. A road-safety center has been set up to promote road safety and to monitor accidents. Last year, 2,992 accidents occurred during the Songkran celebrations, which lead to 3,225 injuries and 326 deaths.

Approximately 159,800 emergency medical personnel will be on hand for the celebration. The team includes 1,592 doctors, over 18,000 nurses and around 127,000 volunteers.

In addition, 11 water sources have been deemed unsafe for use during the Songkran celebrations as high levels of bacteria have been detected.

-- 2015-04-13

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

The sale of high-pressure water guns during the Songkran festival could land you in jail for up to five years!! Is it lifetime in jail if you sell a real gun or?

[crazygreg44]

it would be helpful to know what kind of specifications makes a water gun illegal to use ? How will the police measure the pressure the gun is capable of, and who is in charge to decide over the fines ? Can a policeman stop a couple holding the water guns as shown in the photos and arrest them, to later be fined to 5 years in Hell ? Is this just another money making scheme which aims to cut the numbers of tourists in the Khao San Road much further ? How do I know if the water gun a shop owner sells to me , is illegal or not ?

Edited April 13, 2015 by crazygreg44

[aussieinthailand]

it would be helpful to know what kind of specifications makes a water gun illegal to use ? How will the police measure the pressure the gun is capable of, and who is in charge to decide over the fines ? Can a policeman stop a couple holding the water guns as shown in the photos and arrest them, to later be fined to 5 years in Hell ? Is this just another money making scheme which aims to cut the numbers of tourists in the Khao San Road much further ? How do I know if the water gun a shop owner sells to me , is illegal or not ?

It would seem that there may have been several large body gov officials heading boards and overseas junkets to study these extremely deep questions and the discern not to tell the public of the safe and accepted parameters of water guns has been made by an expert, (definition of expert), X is the unknown factor and spert is a drip under-presser.

[Commerce]

"The Royal Thai Police Consumer Protection Division warned of the consequences of selling prohibited water guns, which may also lead to a fine of 500,000 baht."

Puts things clearly into perspective, when you can kill a policeman with your Ferrari and walk away scott-free, or kill 9 people driving without a licence and get a little bit of non-completed community labour.

Stupid a-holes. It's a product. It's the responsibility of the end user.. not the salesperson. What's next? Car sales banned, as they can be dangerous too?

[bob4you]

This is annual threat, no one ever gets jailed, guns confiscated is all that happens. If they would jail just a couple with bail at B500,000 word would spread and it would stop.

[ttthailand]

I think they mean those handmade blue PVC pipes. Very dangerous if pointed at someone's eyes.

[lupin]

and if you possess, manufacture, use, sell, purchase, order, or import a real gun and/or ammunition without a license, you will be subject to imprisonment for a period of between one and ten years, and/or fines between 2,000 to 20,000 Baht.....

Bloody ludicrous

[falangjim]

Blah blah blah. Police seized a small cache of high-pressure water guns and had their photo op for the press. The RTP are a joke.

[Lupatria]

That makes perfect sense in a country with millions of unregistered firearms in private possession.

[rainwater]

I hope they lock up and fine these tourist hooligan fools and put a notice in thier passports to keep them from returning next year and assaulting people

Edited April 14, 2015 by rainwater

[Tingtau]

As stated by another poster, it certainly would be helpful if a definition of a "high-pressure water gun" were provided. Surely they are not talking about the ubiquitous water guns that we see being displayed, sold, and used throughout Chalong-Rawai roadways yesterday? Now, as to those guys who had a high pressure hose hooked up near the SuperCheap store just after the Big Buddha intersection......that was something that should have been stopped....they had just about enough pressure in that thing to knock a motorcyclist sideways!!!

[Tingtau]

I hope they lock up and fine these tourist hooligan fools and put a notice in thier passports to keep them from returning next year and assaulting people

C'mon rainwater...where is your sense of fun and humour!! And what are you talking about "tourist hooligan fools"? What I saw in the Chalong/Rawai area were just as many Thai nationals and ex-pats if not more squirting at everyone, including themselves. Loosen up.....it's only one day here in Phuket!!

[khwaibah]

These are the water guns that are being referred to NOT the ones in this threads photo.

http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/5-years-in-jail-for-water-gun-vendors-under-new-rules/

Already have a thread running.. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817032-5-years-in-jail-for-water-gun-vendors-under-new-rules/

Edited April 14, 2015 by khwaibah

[sapson]

More from the ministry of twaddle................and talking of water and peeing on your parade................

Anyone see the stickman weekly colum ......... this Sunday very interesting article about the possible origins of this site.

The way he writes it you would think even the very mention of his article will get you banned.by an over zealous moderator...........surely not!

Happy Songkran!

[jackanapes]

my advice is stop questioning everything and abide by the laws of the land .

[Johnnie99]

'Might', but won't.

Hasn't.

[Rimmer]

An off topic troll post that also discusses moderation has been removed

[robblok]

I hope they lock up and fine these tourist hooligan fools and put a notice in thier passports to keep them from returning next year and assaulting people

C'mon rainwater...where is your sense of fun and humour!! And what are you talking about "tourist hooligan fools"? What I saw in the Chalong/Rawai area were just as many Thai nationals and ex-pats if not more squirting at everyone, including themselves. Loosen up.....it's only one day here in Phuket!!

There is no fun involved when you spray water at a rider of a motorcycle (when moving).. that is stupid and dangerous.. if your brain could not figure that one out yourself your a lost cause.

Edited April 14, 2015 by robblok

[ZAKY]

Happy Songkran !!! Happy exclusive farang water festival !!!

[ttthailand]

I just can't understand why someone in their right mind would aim directly at someones face and eyes with a high powered water pump gun. Total disregard for another human-being and no thought towards safety. Just Stupid !!!

One year lockup for these lowlifes ....

Have fun .... Hahaha

[sapson]

An off topic troll post that also discusses moderation has been removed

Simply stunning, having read the offending post!

The very audacity of people telling it how it really is......................where will all end? truth,the end of bullshit. cant allow that, time for an attitude adjustment..

Bravo to the powers that be! silence to any peasants who may be revolting!

[starky]

"Anyone see the stickman weekly columcoffee1.gif ......... this Sunday very interesting article about the possible origins of this site.

The way he writes it you would think even the very mention of his article will get you banned.by an over zealous moderator...........surely not!"

Sapson, have tried numerously today in a number of threads to post the very information you are speaking of and every single one has been removed. No warnings as yet but 'they' are certainly trying very hard to stop people hearing about it. I am surprised your post is still up.

[Jonmarleesco]

These things need buyers. Hit the buyers with hefty fines and the rest will take care of itself.

[Jonmarleesco]

I just can't understand why someone in their right mind would aim directly at someones face and eyes with a high powered water pump gun. Total disregard for another human-being and no thought towards safety. Just Stupid !!!

One year lockup for these lowlifes ....

Have fun .... Hahaha

'... in their right mind ...' Enough said.

[ZAKY]

I just can't understand why someone in their right mind would aim directly at someones face and eyes with a high powered water pump gun. Total disregard for another human-being and no thought towards safety. Just Stupid !!!

One year lockup for these lowlifes ....

Have fun .... Hahaha

Because Songkran is a farang water festival not Thai

[Halion]

There is little doubt that some revelers take the water guns and their approach to dangerous level however it is simply ridiculous to put any thought into this article as the RTP are a useless bunch of morons who jump to attention when ever there is the opportunity to make some pocket money. Spend more effort and time going after real firearms and their owners,except in a land where everything is tainted with corruption that may be difficult as the police are known as the most prolific source of illegal firearms trading. PC Somchai can and will get you any weapon you desire.... for a price.