The ferry, the Peuan Foong 2, set off shortly before 4pm in heavy seas. Not long after, it began to take on water through a crack in the hull.
As the crack got larger, the ferry captain, 54-year-old Sommai Sanguansap, realised there was a very real chance of the ferry sinking so he headed for the nearest piece of land, tiny Koh Kieo, where he managed to put the bow of the ferry on the rocks.
In the meantime he had put out a distress call which was answered by the Marine Police, who set out in the fast rescue boat Khun Phoom 814.
Before the Khun Phoom reached the scene, however, another ferry, the Pichamon, having heard the distress call, came up alongside the Peuan Foong 2, and took on the passengers, completing the transfer by about 7pm.
No injuries were reported and the passengers were eventually delivered safely to Rassada Pier at 8:30 this evening. Tonight the ferry was still on the rocks at Koh Kieo with some crew aboard trying to keep it afloat long enough for it to be salvaged.