Six fishermen were rescued after their boats sank during a monsoon storm in southern Thailand.

The two wooden longtail boats left Phuket on Thursday evening but were overcome with heavy rain and choppy seas.

They made a distress call at 8am the next morning around 1.5 nautical miles from Mai Thon island and naval crews were dispatched to assist.

Parts of a wrecked ship and some personal belongings of the crew were found floating in the waters.

The rescue team first found missing fishermen, Suthep Hasap and Arthit Phanphum, whor were taken ashore to the Vachira Phuket Hospital.

The search continued for the four others who were discovered later that morning before a helicopter lifted them to safety.

Police Colonel Prasert Srikhunrat said the fisherman were all wearing life jackets and unharmed by the ordeal.