PHUKET rode high economically in the first quarter of 2010 before the red rebellion, newly released figures show. But a dramatic downturn is now being predicted for the second quarter.

''Travel warnings for people to stay away from Thailand will hurt Phuket, and investment will slow for the same reason,'' the report said. ''While the global economic recovery is going well, Thailand and Phuket are now moving in the opposite direction.''

Rising fuel prices are also a problem.

Graphs and pie-charts in the Q1 review by the Office of Commercial Affairs on Phuket reflect a contribution to Thailand's GDP of 65,740 million baht and an average annual income on Phuket of 224,275 baht, highest in the south and tenth highest in Thailand.

Tourism on Phuket expanded in the first quarter, with 519,120 arrivals from overseas compared to 348,214 in the same period of 2009. It was a dramatic increase that is now in full reverse thrust mode, following travel alerts and advisories by more than 40 countries.

The information about Q1's stunning success for Phuket tourism is already instant history, the good times that were rolling before the bad times.

Commercial Affairs notes that Bangkok politics will turn away investors and tourists in Q2, with the normal low season downturn accelerating.

A chart in the report notes overseas and Thai passenger numbers at Phuket International Airport peaked at around 600,000 arrivals and departures in February and by March was back to a much-lower figure equal to November.

Board of Investment support in Phuket totalled 693 million baht in just two projects, three million for a software business . . . and 690 million for a waterpark, which has to be Splash Jungle at West Sands in Mai Khao. Previous estimates have put the ''spend'' for the project at 500 million baht.

BoI supported more projects in Q1 2009.

New business registrations on Phuket in Q1 totalled 414, up from 313 the previous year, with a capital value of 931.60 million baht. The number of registered companies rose 32.27 percent, with investment totals up 77.68 percent. Most investment, almost 60 percent, was in Phuket City with Kathu/Patong accounting for about 32 percent.

Farm product exports from Phuket, including rubber, are maintaining their place in the market because of improving demand overseas, especially from Japan and China.