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At Least 7 Missing as Rough Seas Overturn Boats in Thailand

by Associated Press

   PHUKET, THAILAND --

   Police in the southern Thailand resort of Phuket say at least seven
   people are missing after rough seas overturned two boats carrying more
   than 130 tourists.

   Phuket Provincial Police commander Maj. Gen. Teerapol Tipcharoen said
   90 people had been rescued from one boat, but seven were still
   unaccounted for. He said the boat that overturned Thursday evening was
   carrying Chinese tourists.
   Teerapol said 39 tourists, Chinese and European, were forced to abandon
   a second boat, but they were rescued and have returned to land.
   Thai media showed photos of people rescued from one of the ships in
   large rubber life-rafts at sea, with fishing boats and churning water
   in the background.
   The accidents were not reported to be related.