Elsewhere in Thailand, search efforts are ongoing off the island of Phuket for two passengers who are still missing following last week's deadly boat capsize. Earlier, authorities confirmed they had identified all but eight of the 45 bodies they had retrieved from the water. Many of the survivors spent hours drifting in the sea until they were eventually picked up by search and rescue workers. Here's the story of one of them.

Tan Xinyan was sitting in her cabin when the weather started to change. At the time, passengers were still not aware of the danger. Some even took out their mobile phones to record the storm outside the window. Then the boat began to tilt. She noticed the water level rising over the window of the opposite seat.

TAN XINYAN SURVIVOR "I only remember that there was a trace of water on the cabin's window, and then I heard someone asking the crew how long we could get to the shore. And there was a voice saying that it was not a question if we could reach the shore, it was a question if it was safe or unsafe."

Tan says at that time, the crew began to issue life-jackets. And people started to feel less stable, some passengers even fell down. Later, someone began shouting and trying to get out of the cabin. When she was only a step away from the door, the window suddenly burst and water began to pour into the cabin.

TAN XINYAN SURVIVOR "At that time, I felt the water had come over my head. It was a feeling of choking."

When Tan opened her eyes again, she found herself in the sea. When night fell, she began to find food from the bags of passengers.

TAN XINYAN SURVIVOR "At the beginning, I had a companion with me. I called her 'little girl'. I had carried her with me and we wanted to swim to a small island. But we couldn't make it. When the day broke, I told her I can't take her anymore. I said 'sorry' to her and let go of her rope."

After floating in the sea for nearly 20 hours, she saw a rescue boat.

TAN XINYAN SURVIVOR "I kept shouting for help, and the rescuers told me, it's 'ok'. They came to me with a life buoy. Then they grabbed me up with a rope. When I was taken to the ambulance, the embassy staff said to me, 'don't worry'. It made me feel really warm in a foreign country at that time."

Five people earlier reported to be missing have now been found alive. But for those who are still missing, time and hope is running out.