Police are investigating two 'reckless' speedboat drivers who allegedly ignored weather warnings to travel off the coast of Phuket in Thailand.

Nachaphong Pranit, the chief of the Phuket Marine Office, ordered a probe on August 2 when footage emerged of the vessels Natthicha 555 and TSK6 ploughing through high waves during a storm, with passengers not wearing life jackets.

The Phuket Marine Office said the two boats were returning to Phuket from Phi Phi island on August 1 amid waves reaching up to 10 feet .

Initial investigations found that during the incident, the 12.89-gross ton Natthicha 555 was carrying eight passengers, driver Chiratheep Pramongkit, 25, and mechanic Pichet Pramongkit, 32.

Meanwhile, there were three boat operators and 44 passengers aboard the 18.37-gross ton TSK6.

Both boats were found to be seaworthy, and all required safety equipment were functional, officials said.

The boat operators are now being investigated under Section 291 of the Navigation in Thai Waters Act, which states that the Harbour Master has the authority to suspend 'any pilot, master, navigator, boatswain, helmsman, steersman, chief engineer or engineer of a vessel who has obtained the certificate or license but becomes incompetent or behaves inappropriately for the capacity, failing to comply with the law or regulations concerning navigation or his or her capacities.'

The speedboat drivers and relevant individuals were being questioned over the incident.