Terrified tourists were rescued from a sinking speedboat that suddenly stopped while travelling between islands in Thailand.

The backpackers, nine of them Swedish, one Japanese girl, and a Thai guide, were crossing from Koh Chueak to Koh Ngai on an island-hopping day trip when the vessel's engine cut out.

Footage shows the passengers, mostly Swedish girls in Bikinis, being assisted to transfer to a rescue patrol boat.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park Chief Chaiyapruek Weerawong said he sent officers to find them in the middle of the sea when they received the distress call.

He said: 'We immediately dispatched a patrol boat. They transported them back to Koh Ngai Resort and Koh Hai Fantasy Resort where they were staying.'

The holidaymakers were taken back to their hotels while another boat was sent to tow the vessel back to the pier.

No one was hurt but the national park chief said they plan on investigating the cause of the engine malfunction.

The captain, Somsak Noom, said he did not know whey the engine stopped working in the middle of the sea, with the young backpackers onboard.

He added: 'I checked the engine last night before setting off. Everything was in order. It could be the sea conditions to blame.'