PHUKET: The curfew remains the main problem on Phuket with the island's freshly sacked senator estimating that Thailand could be without an elected government for up to 18 months.

Phuket lawyer Chaiyot Punyawai, elected to Parliament on March 30, has not had much time to adjust. He and the other remaining senators were sacked yesterday by coup commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

''It's no surprise that we have been divested of power,'' the senator for Phuket said yesterday. ''Since May 2, we have been working hard as a Senate to solve the country's problems.''

But the Senate's preference for involving Pheu Thai and the Red faction in the decision-making process annoyed anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who preferred to organise street rallies that were to be held this weekend before the ''final showdown'' which was originally scheduled for tomorrow.

''The caretaker government declared they would not resign, which is why the coup had to take place,'' the senator said.

''There are many things to reform. It's unlikely there will be a fresh election this year or next year.''

The senator said he would be a candidate again at the next poll.

He took over as Phuket's representative from Tunyaratt Achariyachai, who boosted a balanced approach to tourism as the straight-shooting chair of the Senate Select Committee on Tourism.

With the curfew likely to be applied for a fourth time tonight, many Phuket businesses will be beginning to suffer if nightlife comes to a halt at 10pm.

Phuket's Governor, Maitree Intrusud, has the responsibility to report every 24 hours to the regional Army chiefs about issues on Phuket. The curfew imposition is likely to hurt tourism and the governor can make the case for lifting it to midnight or later.

With the Royal Thai Navy responsible for securing Phuket in a crisis, there is little prospect of a disturbance on Phuket, where the tourists and residents are not likely to cause problems.

Patong, Karon, Kamala and other west coast holiday destinations are already hurting. Prolong the curfew, and the tourists will head for other holiday spots in other countries.

A sensible option would seem to be to move the curfew to midnight on Phuket, even if other parts of Thailand require more time to be secured.

One group of tourists untroubled by the military being in charge are the 350 wedding guests who arrived on Phuket this week to celebrate the wedding of Diya and Mihir.

The couple and their large wedding party were greeted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand when they arrived at Phuket International Airport.

Three days of celebrations through the coup will not end until Monday as the couple, from Mumbai, enjoy their once in a lifetime stay at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa.