A LANDSLIDE on a Krabi hillside has reportedly buried eight villages, with ''up to 1000 people'' said to be missing. Krabi is popular with tourists at this time of the year.

Emergency services from Phuket and neighboring provinces were reported to be speeding to Krabi.

First reports said the landslide occurred at Khao Phanom, between Krabi Town and Surat Thani. The province, noted for Phi Phi and close to James Bond island in neighboring Phi Phi, sits on Thailand's Andaman coast.

A landslip at Klong-Yai yesterday was a portent of worse to come, blocking the road to Krabi airport for a time.

Many villages in Krabi perch under huge karsts, the limestone formations also known as stands that rise sheer up from ground level.

Unprecedented downpours have soaked Thailand's south over the past week, softening cliffs and hillsides and making them liable to move.

Rain is continuing, and meteorologists say the consistent pelting is unprecedented in recent history.

Widespread warnings of the potential for slips and slides have been sent out over the past few days.

Krabi, Phuket and Phang Nga all suffered when the December 26 2004 tsunami struck along the coast, killing 5400 residents and tourists. That was Thailand's worst natural disaster.

A Phuketwan reporting team is on the way. More reports as they come to hand.