Efforts were being made in rain close to sundown on Sunday to free the yacht with high tide. By the time that early walkers enjoyed a stroll on Monday, the Isle of Skye was free.


CAN it really be high season on Phuket? Can it really be March on the tropical holiday island, where the one certainty is good weather at this time of the year?

The sight of the classy yacht Isle of Skye washed ashore at Phuket's Nai Harn beach today made it plain that this is no ordinary high season - although we already knew that Phuket was no ordinary tropical holiday island.

Uncharacteristically, more rain is expected for Phuket and the Andaman between Sunday and Tuesday. Small boats are warned not to put to sea. Landslips are possible as more water flows down the slopes of Phuket and Phang Nga.

Early morning walkers and joggers were out today at Nai Harn to take in the tragic Isle of Skye, leaning on its side and waiting for rescue.

As with the mass beaching of King's Cup yachts at Kata late last year - at the beginning of high season - bad weather is not something people expect between December and April. At Kata, it was several days before all the boats were afloat again.

Songkran in April usually marks the start of the monsoon season, but as yachties are now the first to appreciate, bad weather can strike even in paradise Phuket at virtually any time.

Holidaymakers planning a trip to Phuket are advised that the weather is always warm and inviting, and there's plenty to do even when the skies turn grey. But do bring a brolly.