The Government's 145-strong support team has set up a command centre at the Royal Phuket Hotel to assist Hong Kong people affected by the tsunamis. It will also oversee the Thai Government's search and rescue operation.

The team is operating three help desks at Phuket and Bangkok airports and the co-ordination centre in Phuket established by the Thai Government. Some team members have been sent to six major hospitals in Phuket.

The following three command centre hotlines have been set up to help Hong Kong people:

*Thai local numbers: (66) 9647 1215 and (66) 9647 1208 (If calling from Thailand, dial 0 9647 1215 and 0 9647 1208); and

*Hong Kong number: (852) 9038-6578.

Immigration officers will continue assisting those residents who have lost their travel documents.

Principal Assistant Secretary for Security Linda So, the support team co-ordinator, said the Phuket team's main task is to provide assistance to Hong Kong citizens and arrange for their early return to Hong Kong.

The team will also help locate those who are missing, Ms So said, adding search and rescue operations are under the purview of the Thai authorities.