[4][5] When returning from Koh Racha, the Phoenix was caught in bad weather off the coast of Phuket, with waves reaching 5 meters (16 feet) high.

Somjing Boontham, the captain of the Phoenix, said that as the huge waves slammed the boat, his crew members frantically lowered the lifeboats and he urged the passengers to put on their life jackets.

[5] Phuket's provincial government organized a search-and-rescue mission involving helicopters and police and fishing boats.

[4] Diplomats from the Chinese consulate and the embassy in Bangkok rushed to Phuket to visit the survivors and assist with search and rescue.

[6] Chinese divers who had gone to northern Thailand to assist in the Tham Luang cave rescue also went to Phuket to search for possible survivors in the sunken ship, which was believed to be 120 feet (37 m) under water.

[4] 37 passengers on board the Phoenix were employees and family members of Haipai Furniture Company in Haining, Zhejiang Province.

[8] After the capsizing, it was discovered that the Phoenix was owned by a Chinese tour company, which operated through Thai nominee owners in violation of Thailand's regulations.