Lost British tourists found at Phangan

(TNA) - Police have located two British tourists lost overnight in a dense forest on Surat Thani's Phangan island.

Michael Gate, 30, and his wife Jinney, 27, walked into the forest intending to exit at a beach on the opposite side of the island, but became disoriented. Michael later telephoned the island's tourist service centre, seeking help, saying that his mobile phone battery was low, and that the couple had no food or drinking water.

Local authorities began their search Monday night in the densely forested area and found the lost couple Tuesday afternoon.

Fatigued but uninjured, the couple were sent to hospital on the island for medical checkups.

Koh Phangan, in the Gulf of Thailand north of Koh Samui, is two thirds mountainous and covered with dense forest. The island is popular for its "Full Moon Party" on Had Rin beach.

The spot is ranked as the third most beautiful spot in the world to view the full moon. Numbers of international tourists flock here to take part in the famous celebration on every full moon night.