A SAINTS photographer escaped death after a speedboat he was due to be on sank in Thailand, killing three people.

Matt Watson was booked to sail off the island of Koh Samui yesterday - but chose not to go because of a hangover.

The vessel, carrying 36 people, was struck by a huge wave.

The former Daily Echo snapper has expressed his relief and told how he chose not to go because of a hangover.

Matt, now club photographer at Southampton FC, said he had been out partying the night before.

Taking to social media he said: “Sometimes it pays to be hungover... We were meant to be on this boat but chose not to go! ‪#‎9lives”.

Daily Echo:

Matt is now club photographer at Southampton FC

The Angthong Discovery Tour boat was carrying 32 tourists and four crew when it overturned after hitting rough waters and strong winds.

British newlywed Monica O'Connor, 28, was among the dead.

Her husband Tim is believed to have escaped unharmed.

A search operation has resumed for a missing British man - 46-year-old Jason Parnell - who was celebrating his first wedding anniversary with wife Puja when the crash happened.

A spokesman for Koh Samui Tourist Police said: "We will not finish until we find him."

Mrs Parnell and Mrs O'Connor's husband Tim are both believed to have escaped the crash unharmed.

The Angthong Discovery Tour vessel was carrying 32 tourists and four crew members when it overturned after hitting rough waters and strong winds.

A German man and a woman from Hong Kong were also among the dead, Koh Samui authorities said.

The boat's captain, Sanan Seekakiaw, was taken into police custody following the crash and faces a possible charge of reckless endangerment causing death, which comes with a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Mr Seekakiaw said he had asked all tourists to wear a life vest but that some had taken them off during the journey.

Travel agent Amm Pontfuk, who has worked with Angthong Discovery for a number of years, said the boat had not left shore in the days preceding the accident due to rough conditions.

She told the Press Association: "This company is the number one for my travel agency, I have sent the manager customers for years, I have known him a long time.

"He is very concerned and professional, normally in bad weather he doesn't go out - he did not go out for three days already - and yesterday he thought the weather was OK and that was why he went out.

"The wind blew very, very strong and it made the boat go under the waves and flip."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has sadly died following a boat accident near Koh Samui, Thailand.

"We are also supporting the family of a British man who is missing following the same incident. We remain in contact with local authorities in Thailand for further information.”