Phuket's reef 'two-thirds gone'

Divers contribute to the reef's destruction, officials say

Two-thirds of the coral reef at the Thai resort of Phuket has been destroyed as a result of the tourist trade, according to Thai officials.

Debris from building works accounted for most the reef's damage, said spokesman for Phuket Marine Biological Center, Nipon Pongsuwanthe.

Diving and fishing also contributed to the reef's demise, he added.

More than four million people visited Phuket island last year - an increase of 2% from 2002.

Tourism surge

Three episodes of coral bleaching during the 1990s - an environmental occurrence attributed to rising water temperature and pollution - had also destroyed the reef, Mr Pongsuwanthe said.

Official tourism groups are aggressively promoting the Andaman Triangle, which includes Phuket and resorts in the Krabi and Phang Nga, as a prime marine tourism attraction.

The government wants to double the number of tourists to the country by 2008.

Tourism currently accounts for 6% of Thailand's economy.