PHUKET, Thailand, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A Thai officer on Saturday told Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Lyu Jian that another five bodies were found after two boats overturned in Thailand's Phuket on Thursday.
The death toll now rose to 38, with 18 still missing.
Two boats carrying over 100 Chinese tourists overturned in rough seas in Phuket on Thursday.
Meanwhile, two Chinese rescue teams have arrived in Phuket and will join the search for the missing tourists, according to Lyu.
China is willing to offer any help for the search and the Chinese teams will work closely with Thai rescue authorities, Lyu said during a press conference on Saturday.
A Chinese government joint working group has also arrived in Phuket on Friday night and held the first joint meeting with the Thai side on the day.
