Earlier we spoke to our correspondent Martin Lowe, who has been following proceedings in the area. Let's take a listen.

MARTIN LOWE PHUKET, THAILAND "Here in Phuket bad weather has been the key factor. It's been a day of driving rain, strong winds and rough seas. The rescue and recovery teams have been operating as best they can. There's been a search both at sea and along the beaches – hoping against the odds for survivors, but more realistically searching for the final few bodies that remain unaccounted for. Despite the bad weather – and despite what happened to the Phoenix – tourist boats were again attempting to operate today. Holidaymakers were queuing up to get on board – until the authorities banned all vessels from leaving port. There's been some new information given out regarding the process of identifying those who lost their lives. We now have 44 confirmed deaths. Most have been formally identified by relatives, with a few still awaiting the arrival of family members from China. This follows the news that five people who were thought to be missing in fact never got on board the boat – so that has reduced the total figure. We now think just three people remain unaccounted for. Meanwhile, a police investigation continues. The operators of the boat are being investigated to see if they were involved in so-called 'zero dollar' tours. These are low cost holidays where on arrival holidaymakers are pressured into paying for excursions, such as boat trips. The captain of the Phoenix is in police custody. Many are asking why did he put to sea when bad weather had been so clearly forecast."