Thai navy rescue 143 tourists stranded on Thai island being battered by Tropical Storm Pulasan

The Royal Thai Navy rescued 143 tourists stranded on an island during a monsoon storm in Thailand.

The holidaymakers arrived on Koh Racha Yai island in Phuket on speedboats, but were unable to leave as heavy rain and strong winds battered them at around 12nn on September 18.

Captain Pichet Thongtan, director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 3, said navy patrol vessel Tor.111 was dispatched to pick up the holidaymakers.

He said: 'The rescue operation was difficult due to high waves that kept small boats from leaving the island. The tourists are all safe. They arrived at the Visit Panwa pier in Phuket at 4pm.'

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said the Andaman Sea was being churned up by Tropical Storm Pulasan and another depression tropical depression. The weather systems spawned waves reaching up to 13 feet.

The TMD has discouraged small boats from sailing from September 18 to 23.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.

Tropical Storm Pulasan entered the Philippine monitoring zone on September 17, bringing intense rains as it enhanced the southwest monsoon. It left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on September 18 afternoon and was approaching China's eastern region.

China's National Meteorological Center said Pulasan is expected to slam into the coast of Zhejiang province on September 19 afternoon.