Alerted by the screaming and crying coming from inside the elevator, hotel staff called the Kusoldharm Foundation rescue volunteers and staff from the Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation department.
It took around 30 minutes for rescue workers to use a crowbar to pry open the elevator door.
The shaken tourists inside were named as Tang Xiuzhen, 64; Wang Jilin, 63; Fan Lijuan, 26; and Chaden Wang Kexis, 9. Also trapped inside was Tawan Srinakron, the hotel receptionist.
Police said the Chinese family had just arrived in Phuket and after check-in, Mr Tawan went to take them to their room.
He told investigators he pressed the “2nd floor” button in the elevator, but instead the elevator went down to the basement, and the door jammed. Fortunately, Mr Tawan had brought his mobile phone with him and was able to call a fellow staff member for help.