PHUKET: Rain that fell across much of Phuket today is expected to disappear tomorrow but small boat captains are warned of strong winds that will accompany the return of bad weather over the weekend.

Tourist boats and small fishing vessels should stay in port on Saturday and Sunday to avoid gusty conditions that could prove dangerous, a spokesman for the Phuket-based Southern Meteorological Centre (West Coast) said today.

With seas of up to two metres and gusts strengthening suddenly beyond 15-30kmh, forecasters are advising caution.