Missing French jet ski family found off Koh Samui

A French father and his two young children have been found after they failed to return a rented jet ski off Koh Samui, according to an update posted by local Facebook news page Nai Sanam.

The update said the three tourists had become lost while on the water and thanked all agencies involved in the response.

The three French nationals had hired a green-and-white Sea-Doo from Chawang Beach, in Surat Thani province, at about 5.20pm, on 13 August 2026.The children were aged between five and seven.

They left from the beach in front of Long Beach Hotel, but did not bring the rented craft back at the agreed time. All three were reportedly wearing life jackets when they set off.

Search stopped as waves reached four metres

A family member who remained ashore told Nai Sanam that she saw the father and children travelling towards Lamai Beach before they disappeared from view.

Bor Phud Police Station was alerted, prompting police, jet-ski rental operators, rescue workers and local volunteers to begin a search. The area covered was extended towards waters near Koh Pha Ngan.

The operation was halted late on August 13 because of darkness and rough sea conditions were considered unsafe. Strong winds were reported, with waves of between three and four metres.

The search teams resumed their work early on August 14. The later Facebook update confirmed that the three people had been found alive, not gave no further details on their condition.

A safety warning for visitors and residents

The case attracted considerable attention among Koh Samui residents online, with people sharing information to assist the search. Before the family was located, social-media users had suggested they might have travelled towards Koh Pha Ngan, run out of fuel offshore or reached another beach around Koh Samui.

For foreign visitors and residents hiring jet skis or other small watercraft, the episode underlines the importance of checking weather conditions, particularly for late-afternoon trips when wind and seas can worsen quickly.

Renters should make sure an operator has their intended route and expected return time, wear life jackets and avoid going out when rough-sea warnings are in place. Anyone who sees a watercraft in difficulty should contact local emergency services or alert nearby operators without delay.

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14 August 2026