SEA LICE are in the water off Phuket's beaches in unusual numbers - with Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin, boyfriend of celebrity model Naomi Campbell, reported as being among the victims.

While last season's hot high season extended into April and May and bleached the region's precious coral reefs, this high season has been unusually cool, wet and cloudy so far, creating bloom conditions for sea lice.

The tiny stingers can be a nuisance and even leave red weals, which is what appears to have happened to Mr Doronin, who is pictured in Britain's Daily Mail newspaper in the water off Phuket with Miss Campbell examining a mark on his back.

A marine biologist told Phuketwan today that conditions were right for sea lice to strike, out of season.

Tourists are advised to cover up if they wish to share the water with sea lice. Thais often take to the beaches in shirts and long pants, staving off most sea lice stings.

Marine biologists are unsure what the odd weather may bring next. Two years ago, swarms of jellyfish unexpectedly appeared in the water off several Phuket beaches, including Patong.

Small varieties of the dangerous box jellyfish are known to occupy at least one beach on Phuket's east coast, yet there have been no confirmed stings from small or large box jellyfish or the Irukandji.

Both creatures are more prevalent now in Australian east coast tropical waters and moving south into more temperate regions. Experts are concerned that destruction of the turtles and large fish that are the natural predators of the jellyfish could see Phuket's beaches affected eventually.

Previously Miss Campbell and Mr Doronin have holidayed at Phuket's Amanpuri Resort with friends Kate Moss and her soon-to-be-husband Jamie Hince, but Miss Campbell was not sighted over Christmas-New Year when Miss Moss was on Phuket.