A British tourist and six other passengers were rescued from a capsized boat in southern Thailand.

The Brit, named by police as Thz Ying Christopher Chan, 63, was riding the long-tail boat off Phuket island when it was suddenly struck by a large wave on October 21.

Police Lieutenant Banthita Thongaun of the Mueang Phuket Police Station said officers received a report that tourists were in distress near Koh Rang Yai island at 5:20pm.

He said: 'All seven passengers were together on a trip. Six of them were Thais. The other one was a man with a British passport. He was born in Hong Kong. His name is Thz Ying Christopher Chan. He was born in May 1961'

Officers arrived at the AA Marina pier where they found all seven passengers safe. Three boat operators were trying to salvage the overturned boat.

The tourists were taken to the Bangkok Hospital Phuket to be treated for minor injuries.

Police Colonel Prateung Ponmana, superintendent of the Mueang Phuket Police Station, said: 'After taking the tourists to the hospital, we returned to the pier to help the boat operators. When we arrived, the long-tail boat was being towed by a nearby vessel. Everyone was safe.'

A passenger said the boat was travelling at a safe speed when it listed and a leak sprang.

Officials believe high waves had caused the sinking.

The sea along the coast of Thailand is most dangerous between June and November when the country is going through its annual monsoon rainy season. Dozens of boats capsize every year and many tourists drown while trying swim along beaches.