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

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An Indian and a Russian walk into a bar in pattaya.....

Like giving liquor to an Indian, then handing him the keys to a jetski. I wonder how long he can hold his breath underwater.

Reading the first five words of this thread.........................I knew it wasn't going to end too well .

Drunk Indian Jet Ski Rider.....................

The jet ski operators should have a machine ready to intervene when sh** like this happens. They could have chased the brain dead Indian the hell away from the swimming area.

Swimmers also have to be aware of their surroundings. I mean ffs

Another good reason not to swim at Pattaya beach. When will the jet skis be banned or at least require that the renters are insured?

1 hour ago, Harsh Jones said:

The jet ski operators should have a machine ready to intervene when sh** like this happens. They could have chased the brain dead Indian the hell away from the swimming area.

Swimmers also have to be aware of their surroundings. I mean ffs

Agreed, but even more important IMO is do not rent jet skis to people who are drunk!!! "Mr Manvendra was heavily intoxicated, with slurred speech and unsteady behaviour at the time of his arrest." I assume he didn't get drunk on the jet ski, the jet ski renter could tell he was plastered when he rented.

The jet ski renters are liable for at least a portion, if not all, of the medical and punitive damages the insipid drunken Indian caused.

Heavily drunk at 11am ?!!?

The article doesn't make much sense ... how did the Jetski rider get under the ropes to where the swimmer was ? That's impossible.

Was the swimmer in the actual swimming zone or outside? The above photo looks like she was on the other side ... but maybe it's just a reversed pic.

And why on earth would you be swimming in that polluted filth hole of a sea there?

6 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Agreed, but even more important IMO is do not rent jet skis to people who are drunk!!! "Mr Manvendra was heavily intoxicated, with slurred speech and unsteady behaviour at the time of his arrest." I assume he didn't get drunk on the jet ski, the jet ski renter could tell he was plastered when he rented.

The jet ski renters are liable for at least a portion, if not all, of the medical and punitive damages the insipid drunken Indian caused.

I'll admit that when I was younger and stupid, I did rent one drunk. But I at least had experience with jet skiis. The jet ski sales guy even sat there and watched me drink for a couple hours. I guess the sales guys get a cut for every rental they bring in. They have to use better judgement for sure.

4 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Heavily drunk at 11am ?!!?

The article doesn't make much sense ... how did the Jetski rider get under the ropes to where the swimmer was ? That's impossible.

Was the swimmer in the actual swimming zone or outside? The above photo looks like she was on the other side ... but maybe it's just a reversed pic.

And why on earth would you be swimming in that polluted filth hole of a sea there?

You can just ride over the ropes.

The Indian did seem sorry about it. If the swimmer was outside the ropes, it wouldn't have been his fault.

I saw the movie. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man.

11 minutes ago, Harsh Jones said:

You can just ride over the ropes.

The Indian did seem sorry about it. If the swimmer was outside the ropes, it wouldn't have been his fault.

How can you ride over the ropes ? They are usually quite sturdy and above the water.

6 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Reading the first five words of this thread.........................I knew it wasn't going to end too well .

Drunk Indian Jet Ski Rider.....................

You've seen us drive, now watch us ride!

born to be wild.

because jet ski alone is not exhilirating enough, so you need to combine it with drugs.

On 3/3/2026 at 11:34 AM, DonniePeverley said:

How can you ride over the ropes ? They are usually quite sturdy and above the water.

The prop/impellor is enclosed so can be pushed under.