AS PHUKET recovers from an unprecedented high season downpour, rescue work continues in difficult conditions around the mountainous region in Krabi where 100 people remain missing. The death toll, officially five, is expected to rise.

Villagers told Phuketwan today that although the official count is five dead, they have recovered nine bodies. They anticipate finding more in days to come.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva flew in yesterday to the Tam Kobe temple to offer words of encouragement to hundreds who have been made homeless by the scouring landslides and torrents of water that have swept the Khao Phanom region.

The Governor of Krabi, Prasit Osathanon, offered 20,000 baht as an immediate gift to all people who have lost homes in the region's latest natural disaster.

PM Abhisit spent two hours looking at the devastation, where homes and vehicles have been swept downhill and huge areas stripped bare of vegetation.

Phuket has probably escaped lightly compared to other destinations, with the meteorological office saying today that March brought 337.1mm of rain to the island compared to the usual 76mm.

The economic damage to tourism is huge, but it's worse elsewhere.

Landslides and rivers of mud in Krabi are just a small part of the devastation caused by flooding across Thailand's south, with grey skies still covering Phuket. Flashes of sunshine are expected today as the weather gradually improves.

In the sea gypsy village on Siray island, near Phuket City, seashell jewellery vendors told Phuketwan their children had gone without snacks because there were simply no tourists to spend money.

On Samui, where the drainage system is not as efficient, hundreds of tourists have finally been evacuated after being trapped for days with no flights or ferries out.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City is collecting items to aid victims. Blankets, packaged food, especially rice, and clothes are wanted.