THE new homes in the village of Hin Lookdeaw only need power now to be back to normal. By early November, families who became homeless when a blaze destroyed 17 houses should be able to move back in.

It's a tribute to Thai community spirit, and particularly the 27 students from Phuket Technical College who have rebuilt the Sea Gypsy homes.

Fire ripped through the village, on the coast close to the Thachatchai checkpoint in Phuket's north, on June 29.

Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-nob and local officials and charity organisations quickly offered help.

Today, as Phuketwan's photo album shows, the on-the-job learning experience by the students has paid off. They stayed in tents and continued the work through a couple of Phuket's wettest months in memory.

Project leader, teacher Pean Tongchai, thinks the experience has been good for the students, both in terms of their skills and social outlook.

He said the project would have been finished even quicker if not for enforced delays awaiting building materials. Villagers too have helped in the resurrection.

All that's needed now, apart from the power, are a few walkways so the residents of the solidly-built houses can stay above the sea level at high tide.