PHUKET, THAILAND – A foreign tourist fell from his dinghy off Nai Yang Beach while the unmanned boat spun in tight circles, before local fishermen pulled him from the water and helped bring the incident quickly under control near the popular shoreline.
Runaway dinghy filmed off Nai Yang Beach
A mobile phone video showed a white dinghy without a driver circling rapidly on the sea off Nai Yang Beach. The footage was recorded by Police Officer Bandasak Silert from Ao Luek Police Station, who was at the beach with his family and later shared the video with several news outlets.
Collision with local fishing boat
In the recording, the circling dinghy eventually collided with a local fishing boat, prompting shocked shouts from people on the shore. Silert and his family could be heard reacting in disbelief as the unmanned inflatable struck the wooden vessel.
Tourist falls into the water
According to Thai media outlet ThaiRath, the tourist had anchored his yacht off Nai Yang Beach and was using the dinghy to reach the shore. He reportedly fell into the water while the engine was still running, causing the small boat to spin out of control as seen in the video.
Fishermen move in within seconds
Several fishermen who witnessed the incident immediately steered their own boat towards the man in the water and pulled him on board. They then maneuvered close to the circling dinghy so the tourist could jump across and regain control.
Incident ends without injuries or damage
The man climbed back into the dinghy and was able to switch off the engine before any further damage occurred. According to those involved, neither the inflatable nor the fishing boat was damaged, and there were no injuries.
Praise across Thai social networks
Photos and videos, including material shared via Amarin TV, spread quickly across Thai online networks. Users praised the fishermen as well as the tourist for their swift actions, which they said had prevented potential damage near the beach.
Earlier offshore rescue near Krabi
In a previous, similar case, fishermen rescued a foreign woman after she had drifted in the sea for more than six hours off the coast of Krabi.
“She later reported that she had set off from Koh Lanta Yai Beach the evening before and had lost her way on the way back.”
said local media reports.
Russian woman saved after seven hours at sea
In another earlier incident, a Russian woman was recovered by fishermen after drifting for more than seven hours in the sea in Chon Buri province.
“According to local authorities, this case also showed how crucial the swift reaction of local boat crews is in emergency situations at sea.”
said officials.