This is the dramatic moment tourists washed away by a rip tide on a Thai island were rescued by locals.

Beachgoers spotted the allegedly intoxicated holidaymakers floating in the sea near Rin Beach in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on December 21.

A police investigation found that the foreigners had gone swimming in rough seas before being dragged out by a current. They were unable to return to shore due to the strong waves, leaving them stranded in open water.

Footage captured by Suthee Duen Hongvira shows nearby locals, tourists, and rescuers dashing towards the victims to pull them out of the water, with others using longtail boats and jet skis.

Moments later, they successfully brought the foreigners back to safety.

A witness said: 'There were six girls swimming in the water, and they were seemingly drunk. Two of them got back to shore, but the rest were stranded.

'Thankfully, there are some kindhearted people who quickly rescued them.'