KOH SAMUI, THAILAND – A French father and his two sons survived a full night adrift at sea off Koh Samui. The three spent around 17 hours in darkness and waves up to four metres high on their crippled jet ski before rescue teams found them alive at about 11 am Thursday, 13 kilometres east of Koh Mat Lang.
The 50-year-old father and his boys, aged nine and 12, endured hours alone on the dark, churning water without knowing if help was coming. Local Facebook news page Nai Sanam confirmed all three were alive; English-language outlet Khaosod English described them as unhurt but exhausted.
Family taken to hospital for checks
Father and sons were taken to Bangkok Hospital Samui for observation. Mother and daughter had stayed on land during the trip. Nai Sanam thanked all agencies and volunteers who joined the search.
Jet ski failed to return
The father rented a green-and-white Sea-Doo jet ski at Chaweng Beach in Surat Thani province on 13 August at about 5.30 pm. The rental was for 30 minutes.
A relative who stayed ashore saw the three head toward Lamai Beach before they disappeared from view. When the vehicle did not return, the rental operator alerted police at around 8.25 pm.
Search expanded to Koh Pha Ngan waters
Officers from Bor Phud Police Station, the Koh Samui district office, disaster prevention teams, the local jet ski club and volunteers all joined the search. At times it stretched into waters near Koh Pha Ngan.
Darkness and dangerous sea conditions forced a halt around 1 am – meaning the family spent more hours waiting, not knowing when the search would resume. Teams restarted at 9 am and found the family about two hours later.
Tips for avoiding late trips in rough seas
The case drew massive attention among Koh Samui residents on social media. Users shared information and speculated before the rescue that the family may have headed toward Koh Pha Ngan, run out of fuel, or reached another beach on Koh Samui.
Whoever rents a jet ski or another small watercraft on the island should check the weather, leave the planned route and return time with the rental operator, and not set out in rough seas. Anyone who sees a vehicle in difficulty should immediately inform local rescue services or nearby rental operators.
said advice from local news source Nai Sanam.