PHUKET'S precious coral reefs will be watched for the next three months to see whether they can recover their brilliant hues. But the theft of laptops from two international delegates has marred a highly successful marine conference on Phuket.

Large numbers of experts from around the Asian region visited Phi Phi and Racha this week and reported that 90 percent of the reefs at the two prime tourist destinations have been bleached white by excessive sunshine and warm water.

''We just have to hope it all comes right,'' said Dr Thamasak Yeemin, chair of the organising committee for the Second Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium. About 500 experts from 35 countries have been talking and diving over five days this week on Phuket.

For Phuket's coral reefs, it's a little like a pedestrian walking under a bus with the world's best doctors standing on the pavement. Whatever diagnosis and treatment that can be possibly given, Phuket's reefs are likely to get.

However, there is only so much that even the world's best marine biologists are capable of doing. The temperature of the water is beyond their control. This year, water temperatures stayed around or above 31 degrees for much longer than usual. Now it will be a matter of whether or not the reefs can recover from the stress.

Dr Thamasak said this week's gathering of reef specialists was remarkably successful - except for the laptop thefts. Two researchers from the University of the Philippines had their computers stolen by thieves who raided their room at the Twin Inn in Phuket City on Thursday, while the two were having breakfast in the hotel.

''The laptops contain a lot of important research, so it's very damaging for these two,'' Dr Thamasak said. Phuket City police are investigating.