RIOT POLICE clashed with hundreds of protesters on the road to Phuket International Airport today . . . then they all enjoyed the waterplay and had a good laugh.

Just one year ago, the airport was invaded by Peoples' Alliance for Democracy yellow shirts who occupied the airport for three days, marooning thousands of tourists on the island and preventing others from coming.

We didn't realise it then but it was the beginning of a particularly turbulent period for the whole country . . . a period that has yet to reach a conclusion.

Back then, the police on Phuket did not offer any resistance to the invaders. The whole event was peaceful and harmless to everything . . . except the island's tourism industry, which has yet to recover.

Then in November, the lessons of the invasion of Phuket airport unlearned, the yellow shirts tried their luck again on a bigger stage at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok . . . and yet again, there was no resistance by soldiers or police.

If there happens to be another attempt at an invasion, the outcome could be different.

Today 1300 police and 500 protesters, consisting of local volunteers and some soldiers, staged a riot practice drill on the airport road outside the Thalang Technical School.

Traffic to and from the airport was diverted down the back road through Nai Yang from noon to 4pm.

Police came from Krabi, Surat Thani and Phang Nga to join the practice. Two were actually injured . . . a higher toll than during the original occupation.

Back then, Phuketwan updated more than 50 times over the three days of the protest, winning the plaudits of Phuket's leaders and establishing its reputation as the news source that provides real value when the island has a crisis.

Tourists all over the world who were looking to fly to Phuket sent Phuketwan emails saying how grateful they were for such a thorough, professional service.

There's no telling what the future might hold, now or then.

We were particularly struck by the heading on one of our reports: 'PM Samak Tells Thailand: I Am Not Going Anywhere.'


Touchdown! Flights Return to Phuket Airport
The siege of Phuket ends with the first flight from Bangkok touching down at 3.50pm. International flights will resume as fast as all 11 airlines can manage. Tourists should check with airlines before setting off.
Touchdown! Flights Return to Phuket Airport

Phuket Flights Return, Island Counts The Cost
Phuket is flying again. Perhaps not as high as it would like yet, but that will come in time. What was the cost of the airport blockade and what are the lessons for the island? Here's our analysis.
Phuket Flights Return, Island Counts The Cost

Phuket Air Siege: 'Two Years for Recovery'
Phuket occupancy rates are down from 55 percent to 30 percent and the recovery will take up to two years, a tourism industry leader says. The island and airlines continue to count the cost of the airport siege.
Phuket Air Siege: 'Two Years for Recovery'

Phuket Siege Lifts For Lone Flight to Bangkok
With international flights bound for Phuket being diverted and the island's airport shut down, a special plea was made for PAD leaders to allow one flight to beat the blockade and carry stranded passengers to Bangkok.
Phuket Siege Lifts For Lone Flight to Bangkok

Phuket Airport Invasion: Long Night of Uncertainty
No flights in or out of Phuket until noon Saturday or later. But why is Phuket's tourism industry now part of a political dispute? That was the question being asked tonight as anti-government protestors continued to occupy the island's international airport, forcing a halt to all flights.
Phuket Airport Invasion: Long Night of Uncertainty


Phuket Police Bust '100m Baht Coral Fish Gang'
Latest Phuket Marine Police say they have arrested the mastermind who was overseeing the theft by Rawai sea gypsies of coral reef fish worth 100 million baht a year.
Phuket Police Bust '100m Baht Coral Fish Gang'

Swedes Nabbed for Sex on Khao Lak Beach
Latest Two Swedish men and two Thai women have been arrested in Phang Nga for having sex in public on a Khao Lak beach and possession of hashish and drug paraphernalia.
Swedes Nabbed for Sex on Khao Lak Beach

MediaWATCH: Two 'Turned TAT into Piggy Bank'
News Digest Two ''turned TAT into piggy bank''; Bali boat sinks, nine die; Condo comeback, says Raimon; Malaysia still slips; Santika pub owner pitches low compensation.
MediaWATCH: Two 'Turned TAT into Piggy Bank'

Phuket Ownership: Governor Admits to Concerns
Updating Report A newspaper report about foreign ownership on Phuket may have been exaggerated but the concerns are real and need to be resolved quickly to everyone's benefit.
Phuket Ownership: Governor Admits to Concerns