BANGKOK, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed his "sympathies and deepest condolences" to the families of the dead in the boat accidents in southern Thailand's Phuket that has claimed 38 lives so far on Saturday.

Prayut said at the government house on Saturday that the government will exert all efforts to find those still missing and provide support to all survivors of this tragic event as soon as possible.

The prime minister has ordered to set up a command center for the rescue operation in Phuket. He also ordered organizations involved to conduct full investigation of the cause of the accidents and identify those responsible for the tragedy.

In order to provide the public with clear and accurate information, regular briefing will be held in the command center.

The prime minister urged the public not to circulate photos of the victims to protect their privacy.

Three tour boats carrying over 130 tourists sank in a storm off the southern Thai resort island of Phuket in Thursday afternoon. The death toll is climbing, hitting 38 at Saturday noon.

There are still 18 people missing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassy and consulates to Thailand to take greater measures, and urged the Thai government and agencies to spare no efforts in search and rescue and to provide proper medical treatment for the injured.

Chinese Ambassador Lyu Jian called on Thailand to quickly mobilize an intensive search for the missing and "to tend and make appropriate arrangements for the rescued Chinese tourists, treat and cure the injured and receive family members of the Chinese tourists involved."