Dozens of tourists swam for their lives to escape a burning speedboat off the coast of Thailand this morning.

The 33 holidaymakers and four Thai crew were sailing on the vessel, Tana Marine 555, from Phuket to Koh Mai Thon when it caught fire 50ft from the shore.

They jumped overboard to escape the roaring flames and were rescued by a passing boat.

Footage shows black smoke plumes billowing from the speedboat lodged between rocks as it was engulfed in flames.

Nachapong Pranit, director of the Phuket Marine Office, said authorities deployed a rescue team after receiving a report at 9:20 am.

Emergency responders arrived and found the passengers watching the wreckage burn from a distance. All 37 onboard the boat were taken to a hospital for treatment in Phuket.

Two Thai crew members, a Russian man, and a Russian woman suffered burns and minor injuries from shrapnel.

The speedboat owner said: 'The boat had departed from Chalong Pier in Phuket and was headed for Koh Mai Thon island for a day trip.

'Upon arrival, the tourists disembarked and went swimming as usual. Shortly after, the captain discovered an engine malfunction.

'While the crew were attempting repairs and waiting for a replacement boat, a fire suddenly broke out. It later caused an explosion. At the time of the blast, only the captain, an engine mechanic, and one crew member were still on board.'

Authorities believe the fire started in the boat's toilet.

The speedboat blaze comes after British tourist Alexandra Clarke, 26, was killed in a similar boat fire on March 16.

The backpacker from Lambeth, South London, was reportedly using the toilet when a blaze erupted from an air compressor on the wooden vessel, named Davy Jones Locker, five miles from 'Death Island' Koh Tao in Surat Thani province.

Officials said at least 16 tourists were onboard the boat, as well as two crew and four instructors from the scuba diving firm based on the island.

They were all rescued by passing boats before the vessel sank, with Alexandra feared to have been trapped in the toilet next to the flames and explosions. Authorities are yet to find her body.