REPORTS alleging the savage rape of a British woman on Phuket by a group of Swedes and Thais are being published tonight in Britain's mainstream media.

According to the Daily Mail, one of Britain's most popular tabloids, the woman claimed that after she was raped, the rapists called her mother in Britain and demanded she send money, saying that otherwise they would rape her daughter again.

British consular officials have confirmed they provided assistance to the woman, who was back in Britain within 48 hours.

The Mail's online version of the attack said that the woman had answered an advertisement to work in property time share in Patong, the most popular destination on Phuket's west coast, but quickly became penniless after earning little commission.

The Mail headline, ignoring the information that Swedes were part of the alleged rape, reads: 'Send us cash or we'll rape her again': Thai sex attackers' sickening call to mother of British woman, 23'

Another report of the allegations at andrew-drummond.com, produced by British journalist Andrew Drummond, reports that the woman had overstayed her visa and was working illegally.

That account says: ''A friend described how the men placed a hood over her head and then laughed as they phoned her mother.

''She had gone back to the room with a Swede,'' she added. ''But inside there were five others, including three Thais.

''She was raped and then one of them demanded her mother's phone number. There was laughter as one of the gang members told her mother that unless she sent money, her daughter would be raped again.

''Afterwards she went to find the Embassy official. I don't think she could even remember her attackers and I guess she was drunk.''

Honorary consuls from more than one nation on Phuket have made the point in the past year that expat victims of rape on Phuket seldom have the will or the courage to stay on the island to pursue charges against their attackers.

The result is that attackers who do not face legal proceedings feel they have the freedom to rape again.

For years now, time share touts have been the scourge of Patong. The touts harass tourists and promise benefits, leading victims to a session in a high-pressure sales ''boiler room.''

Legitimate holiday club ventures on Phuket are horrified by the down-market shock tactics, but never speak out, despite the sad reflection on the entire real estate industry.