The tourists had arrived on the island by speedboat but could not safely return to Phuket due to the strong wind and waves.
The wind was so strong that they could net even board the speedboat from the beach, and the Marine Department Region 5 Office in Phuket was called for assistance.
Sakorn Pudam a senior officer at the Phuket Marine Office, then called the Marine Police for assistance, which dispatched their boat Tor 706, designated Suthep, from Phuket with Lt Col Sophon Manatsith and Maj Tharapong Preuksatharakul on board to pickup the tourists.
All 33 of the tourists, which comprised 13 from China, four from Russia, two from the Netherlands, two from South Africa, one from Australia and 11 Thais, were brought safely back to Chalong Pier.
However, other tourists remained stranded on Koh Racha overnight, Mr Sakorn explained.
“They will be brought back to Phuket today,” he said.