PHUKET: One Burmese worker was killed and five others injured when a retaining wall collapsed on them today at Patong Bay Hill Resort, above Phuket's west coast tourist hub.

Heavy rain overnight is believed to have loosened the earth.

The dead worker was buried under soil about 11.20am. One of the six workers remains in a coma at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City.

Four others are in Patong Hospital. The body of the dead worker, Sadlai, aged 20, is also in Patong Hospital.

It's understood Kusoldharm Foundation rescuers took 30 minutes to reach him.

Patong Mayor Chalermlak Kebsub said this afternoon that she had ordered work on the site stopped.

Construction manager Anupong Mutharit said that the collapse was regrettable.

''Heavy rain fell over night so that seems to have loosened the earth.

''All our workers are legal, registered workers. We intend to pay all compensation and hospital costs.''

The 366-room resort is due to accept tourists from July 1 with a grand opening scheduled for December.

The Patong Bay group has 60 rai on the hillside but was only going to construct across 30 rai.