PHUKET: The savage storm that smashed boats all around the Phuket region on Sunday has done far worse damage beneath the water, says an experienced diver.

''The storm has wrecked one coral bed off Racha island and caused damage far worse that the tsunami in 2004,'' said Jirapong Jeewarongkakul.

A team from the Phuket Marine Biolongical Centre is diving off Racha island today to confirm what Khun Jirapong says about the damage.

However, as he is a former worker at the Phuket centre, they have little doubt that his photographic evidence is accurate. Khun Jirapong now runs a dive business on Racha.

The effect the wrecking of the reef could have on tourism is difficult to assess but Khun Jirapong believes recovery could take many years.

''The reef has been trashed between a depth of 14 metres and 18 metres,'' he said. ''Parts of it have been swept away. Other sections have been covered by sand.''

The Phuket marine biologists, who have had experience with reef recovery from the tsunami and a bleaching phenomenon, is likely to provide information in greater detail.

The body of a fisherman, missing since the storm, was recovered off Phi Phi yesterday.