Two Russian tourists were rescued when rough seas swept their surfboards away in Thailand.

The holidaymakers reportedly flouted safety rules to go surfing off Karon Beach on Phuket island, on March 10.

Lifeguards monitoring the coast spotted the pair struggling in the distance as strong wind and waves blew them further from the shore. They rode jet skis to reach the surfers who were stranded near Koh Pu island.

Footage shows trying to help the Russian - seen in the video not wearing a life vest - board the jet ski.

A local lifeguard said: 'We saw the Russians paddling and being blown far away by the wind through our binoculars, so we drove our jet skis to bring them back to shore.'

The tourists were returned to the beach unharmed.

Beach drownings are a recurring safety concern in Thailand, especially in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi. The deaths often attributed to strong rip currents, lack of swimming skills, and disregard for warning signages.

The waters are most dangerous during the country's rainy monsoon season, when red flags are placed in beaches to warn of dangerous sea conditions.

The Thai Meteorological Department today said waves could reach up to two metres (seven feet) offshore as easterly and southeasterly winds prevailed over the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, with isolated heavy rains in Southern Thailand.