More than 700 foreign tourists are believed to have died in the massive wave caused by the world's biggest earthquake in 40 years in southern Thailand, according to deputy interior minister here Tuesday.

Earlier the day the Thai Interior Ministry said the death toll from the tidal waves has risen to 918 and the number of the injuries to almost 7,400.

Many of the foreign tourists were spending their Christmas vacation in Thailand's southwestern coast that is famous for idyllic scenery, the minister said.