PHUKET: Criminal ''bikie'' gangs were operating on Phuket and exporting heroin to Australia, a top-level delegation from the Australian embassy in Bangkok told authorities on the holiday island today.

Australian Federal Police were working with Royal Thai Police to accurately gauge the involvement of outlaw gang chapters on Phuket and in Thailand and curtail their activities, AFP Senior Liason Officer Darren Booy told Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak at Phuket Provincial Hall.

He specifically identified Hell's Angels, Rebels and Bandidos as three Australian-based gangs that had infiltrated Thailand and said local police and the AFP would be working during Phuket Bike Week from April 11 to identify members of the groups, which are now subject to special laws in some Australian states.

The new Australian Ambassador, Paul Robilliard, on his first official visit to Phuket, told the vice governor: ''Unfortunately this is one small but important problem we have with Australians here.''

Mr Robilliard brought with him the new Australian First Secretary and Consul, Kirsten Fletcher, and hosted an opening party for the new Australian consulate at the Phuket City offices of the honorary consul, Michelle Hawryluk, who welcomed guests to a small celebration.

Phuket's Police Commander, Major General Pachara Boonyasit, and senior officers from Phuket Immigration delivered floral bouquets. Region 8 volunteer leader Wal Brown headed a delegation of Australian volunteers.

Later, at Provincial Hall, Ambassador Robilliard told the vice governor that more than 300,000 Australians visited Phuket each year. ''Most have a good time but unfortunately some of them get into trouble.''

Others bring trouble with them. The AFP's Darren Booy told the vice governor that Australian outlaw motorbike gangs were at work on Phuket.

''We have been working with Royal Thai Police and international agencies to understand the extent of these organised groups in Thailand,'' he said. He believed that as well as the Australian gangs, others had come from the US, Germany and the Netherlands.

Ambassador Robilliard added: ''They're here now, yes, we have legitimate motorcycle clubs but we also have illegal gangs. The gangs are involved in criminal activities, lots of drugs and money laundering. We know some of them are unfortunately here on Phuket and Khun Darren is working with police on this.''

The ambassador also mentioned jet-ski scams. The vice governor assured him that Governor Nisit Jansomwong was working to find a solution.