Thai beaches where thousands of locals and tourists were swept to their deaths in the 2004 tsunami have been bathed in candlelight to mark the passing of 10 years.

Of the 26 Australians who died in the Boxing Day disaster, 23 were in Thailand.

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Most of them were on holiday in Phuket, which back then saw more tourists from Australia than any other country.

On Friday night an annual tradition of illuminating sand sculpture memorials with candlelight continued at Phuket.

North in Khao Lak, a more formal service was held at police boat T813, a vessel that was swept two kilometres inland with the tsunami and has remained there as a memorial.

Australia’s Ambassador to Thailand, Paul Robilliard, attended with representatives from the Australian Federal Police, who were deployed to Thailand to help with victim identification.

At least 5400 lives were lost to the disaster in Thailand, and around half were foreigners.

The crowd at the Khao Lak service reflected this, with Thai people lighting candles in emotional tribute alongside visitors.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha said the world should be thanked for helping Thailand recover from the tsunami “nightmare”.

It was important in return to show the country had learned from the experience, he said.

Part of the service was dedicated to an elaborate demonstration of Thai rescue services responding to a simulated disaster, even using search and rescue elephants.

Australia’s other three tsunami victims died in Sri Lanka.