A French father and his two young sons spent more than 16 hours drifting at sea off the coast of Koh Samui, a popular resort island in the Gulf of Thailand, after their rented jet ski capsized during what was meant to be a 45-minute ride. The three were eventually found exhausted but alive on Friday morning, roughly 17 hours after they first set out.
The 50-year-old father had rented the jet ski from a local operator at around 5:00 pm on Thursday. When the family failed to return at the agreed time, the operator raised the alarm with local rescuers and provincial authorities. Search teams combed the surrounding waters using speedboats and additional jet skis, extending their search toward the nearby island of Koh Phangan. As darkness fell, however, the operation was suspended overnight — leaving the father and his sons, aged five and seven, to drift through the night. They were located at around 10:00 am on Friday.
Local government official Amorn Chomchoey told AFP that the family was found "pale" and "exhausted after swallowing a lot of seawater," adding that the boys were particularly affected. Rescue footage shows one of the boys perched on the only part of the jet ski still visible above the surface — a small triangular section at the front — while his father floated nearby. Both were wearing life jackets. The father told authorities that rough waves had caused the engine to fail near the end of the rental period. Investigators are examining why the vessel capsized after operating for just over 15 minutes, as the father described himself as an experienced jet ski rider. The rental operator, however, told local media that the family appeared to have ventured outside the area specified in their rental contract.
All three were taken to hospital for checks and discharged shortly afterwards. On the beach, the boys' mother and older sister had been waiting anxiously for their return. Despite the ordeal, officials confirmed that the family chose to remain in Thailand and continue their holiday.
The incident highlights the risks that can accompany water sports in open sea conditions, even in well-established tourist destinations. Koh Samui attracts millions of visitors each year, prized for its resorts and, in calmer seasons, its relatively sheltered waters. Authorities have not announced any immediate changes to jet ski rental regulations as a result of the incident, though the investigation into the capsizing is ongoing.