WITH THE Democrats now claiming they can form a government, it's time for Phuket business leaders to seek reparations for the ''war'' waged on tourism by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

From now on, Thailand's reshaped political landscape should mean a better deal for Phuket and the Andaman region.

Starved of funds for essential infrastructure through the long, lean Thaksin years, Phuket should now benefit from its wholehearted long-term support for anti-government political parties and this year's protests.

That's the theory. Now for the reality, and the test of whether Phuket really counts.

The ''Final Showdown'' by the PAD appears to have achieved one of its important aims over the weekend. Monday represents a fresh start.

If the Democrats achieve their wish, before long Abhisit Vejjajiva, 44, could become the youngest Thai prime minister ever, a local version of Barack Obama.

The alignment of a group of defecting MPs with the Democrats over the weekend appears to have the military's blessing. More surprises are not out of the question.

But whoever takes charge, the hole that the Phuket protesters blew in Phuket's own foot needs immediate treatment. A few billion baht would do nicely for major cosmetic surgery, thanks.

After all, Phuket has for many years been a stronghold for the Democrat Party, in good times and bad times.

Even the Tourism and Sports Ministry admitted late last week that a total of 24.3 billion baht will be needed to help small and medium-sized tourist operators, tour agents, hotels and other businesses to recover and to compensate stranded passengers.

However, that was the Tourism and Sports Ministry under the old Thaksin-successor government. The new government should put a much greater value on healing Phuket's wounds.

Political trade-offs for places in government of the kind that occurred in Bangkok at the weekend have not been seen since Thaksin arrived in power as Prime Minister on January 6, 2001.

Almost eight years have passed since Phuket got a fair return for the bilions of baht that tourism sends to Bangkok's coffers.

Along with the refreshing appointment of straight-shooting Governor Preecha Ruangjan, 2008-2009 represents a watershed for Phuket.

The new governor has signalled his intention to slow development on the island, although the world financial crisis will put on the brakes anyway.

He wants a better balance between progress and Phuket's natural treasures. All we can say is: it's about time.

The previous governor warned that the island faced a glut of condominium projects, so the slowdown may not be such a bad thing for Phuket.

We feel sorry for individual investors in the property business who have been caught by bad timing and are just as much innocent victims as the 350,000 tourists trapped in Thailand by the airports blockade.

However, the island remains a great long-term investment and this week begins with Phuket's potential for 2009 looking much, much better than at this time last week.

Here's hoping the good times are about to roll once more.

There is, however, one outstanding question:

Will the new Thai Government or the PAD send a representative to the funeral of the Australian tourist who collapsed at Phuket airport and died early on Saturday?

He was waiting for an emergency flight, after being forced to take a long bus ride from Bangkok to Phuket.

Without the airport blockade, he would probably still be alive today.



Airport Nightmare: Phuket Passenger Dies
Photo Album A passenger collapses and dies while trying to catch a special Qantas relief flight, the first reported death of a tourist connected to the airports blockade.
Airport Nightmare: Phuket Passenger Dies