A 65-year-old Russian tourist sustained a serious head injury after being struck by a jet ski operated by an intoxicated Indian man who illegally entered a designated swimming area at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on Monday morning. The incident occurred at around 11:00am on 2 March 2026 near Soi 5, prompting an emergency response and the rider’s arrest.
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The Pattaya Marine Rescue Centre received reports that a foreign woman had been hit by a jet ski within the buoy-marked swimming zone. Rescue teams, including lifeguards from Pattaya City’s coastal safety unit and volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, arrived to find the victim floating off shore with a head laceration.
The woman, identified as Ms Erina, 65, was described as being in extreme shock and distress. First aid was administered on the beach before she was transported to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital for further treatment.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
While emergency personnel were assisting the injured tourist, a 34-year-old Indian man, identified as Mr Jayesh Manvendra, approached on his knees to apologise. He admitted he had been operating the jet ski that collided with Ms Erina, claiming he had not seen her swimming in the area.
Police from Pattaya City Police Station took Mr Manvendra into custody for questioning. According to Mr Wuttichai Denchaiyaphum, a Pattaya lifeguard, he had earlier observed the jet ski breaching the buoy-marked boundary of the swimming zone.
Concerned for the safety of swimmers, Mr Wuttichai said he attempted to signal the rider to leave the restricted area. However, before he could fully intervene, the jet ski accelerated and struck the Russian tourist who was swimming.
Rescue teams entered the water to assist the victim and detained the operator before handing him over to police. Initial investigations indicated that Mr Manvendra was heavily intoxicated, with slurred speech and unsteady behaviour at the time of his arrest.
Authorities have initially charged him with reckless conduct causing injury to another person. He has been transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings. Amarin reported that police are continuing their investigation as legal action proceeds. No further update has been provided on Ms Erina’s condition beyond her admission to hospital.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 3 Mar 2026