There were 123 passengers and seven crew members on board a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft when it hit the tarmac before breaking apart and bursting into flames. As many as 41 people survived the crash. The plane was operated by Thai budget airline One-Two-Go.
"The plane's black box recorders have been sent to the United States for processing, but it could be a week before any information is available," Australian radio said.
Policemen and rescuers are continuing to search through the debris, and relatives have already started to arrive on the site of the crash to identify the bodies.
The plane, on its way from Bangkok, had attempted a landing amid heavy rains and strong winds.
Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular tourist resorts.
