Family Rescued After 16-Hour Ordeal on Jet Ski Off Thailand

POLICY WIRE — Bangkok, Thailand — A 50-year-old father and his two sons were rescued after spending 16 hours adrift on a jet ski off the coast of Koh Samui island, according to a local official who spoke to AFP on Saturday.

The family was discovered floating approximately 10 kilometers from the shore. They had been missing since the previous evening when they set out on the jet ski for what was intended to be a short recreational trip.

“We received a distress call early this morning and immediately launched a search and rescue operation,” said the local official. “The family was found in a state of exhaustion but otherwise unharmed.”

Authorities have not yet released further details about the incident, including how the family ended up adrift for such an extended period. The rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including the Thai Navy and local maritime safety units.

This incident highlights the dangers of recreational water activities and the importance of safety measures. The family is currently receiving medical evaluations to ensure there are no underlying health issues resulting from their ordeal.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)