INTERNET connections were still down around the Karon region of Phuket because of a landslip that toppled toppled a tree into a power pole.

The tree toppled this morning and power was back on in about three hours, but the Internet connection was expected to take longer.

Rain lashed most of Phuket overnight, with another pole also tumbling on beach road close to the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa about 7pm.

Electricity was quickly restored. Authorities fear the burst of bad weather has increased the chances of landslips, which have killed on Phuket from time to time.

The meteorological bureau warned that rain could continue to fall for as long as two weeks, through and beyond the Vegetarian Festival, which begins in Phuket City on Friday and continues for nine days.

About 5pm yesterday, three men fishing in a dinghy off the beach near the Sarasin Bridge, in the island's far north, got into difficulties when a sudden storm swept in.

High winds tipped them into the water and turned over the dinghy, but they managed to make it to shore.