Three Chinese tourists were rescued after their yacht broke down off the coast of Thailand.

The holidaymakers had been touring the islands of Krabi province when they encountered strong winds that wrecked the mast of their boat on January 28.

Marine police found boat captain Jing Peng, 38, and his friends Mu Zezhi, 47, and Mu Deng, 47, on the China-registered sailboat 'Suntess' near to the secluded Koh See island.

The boat's mast had hit the engine, damaging it and leaving them stranded at sea until the passengers called for help.

No one was reported injured as the tourists from China were all wearing life jackets.

The men said they had arrived on holiday after the Communist regime China eased travel restrictions. They left the marina in the Pak Nam subdistrict for a trip, but the gales battered their yacht in the afternoon.

The Chinese nationals were taken back to shore while the yacht was towed later, marine police said.