An 18-year-old jet ski worker has died after falling into the sea while delivering a jet ski to a customer at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Chon Buri, on 29 June 2026 at 09:30 authorities said. Lifeguards and rescue teams were deployed to search the waters, recovered the victim from the sea, and attempted CPR before a hospital doctor confirmed his death.

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The incident had prompted a temporary restriction of the immediate search area along the beach. Emergency teams maintained presence until the scene was fully cleared.

The victim, identified as Mr Chatchai, 18, was working as a boat crew member for a jet ski operator. According to colleagues, he had taken a jet ski out to deliver it to a customer when he disappeared from view.

Moments later, staff noticed the jet ski floating unattended offshore and raised the alarm, prompting a coordinated search effort. No witnesses directly observed the moment of the incident . He was working for a local jet ski rental service at the time.

Police at Pattaya City Police Station attended the scene and began an initial investigation, documenting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Authorities said the cause of death has not yet been established and remains under investigation.

Possible factors under consideration include falling from the jet ski, losing consciousness in the water, or underlying health issues, pending a full forensic post-mortem examination. Officers secured the area while evidence was collected.

Further inquiries will continue once medical examination results are available, with police expected to review operational safety procedures linked to jet ski services in the area. The findings will determine whether any additional safety measures or regulatory actions are required.

Amarin reported that authorities will continue to review safety compliance in jet ski operations at popular tourist beaches. Results of the post-mortem will guide further reporting on the incident.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 30 June 2026

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Company should be fined for no life jacket. Safety last

I'm gonna say probably a poor swimmer and no life jacket would be a factor in his death .

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Possible factors under consideration include falling from the jet ski, losing consciousness in the water, or underlying health issues

How about - didn’t know how to swim. Basic water safety standards are non-existent. LOS. And that ain’t smiles

1 hour ago, ronster said:

1 hour ago, ronster said:

I'm gonna say probably a poor swimmer and no life jacket would be a factor in his death .

Weird job to take for a poor swimmer.

Hopefully the truth will be disclosed in due course

A tragic end to such a young life

RIP

31 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Weird job to take for a poor swimmer.

Hanging out at the beach all day is probably better than most he could have done and thought he was an ok swimmer until he fell off the ski and it got away from him .

So, no lifejacket, and maybe not a swimmer.

Shoot, did he know how to swim? The years I lived in Phuket, i pulled 15-20 Thais out of the 30+ people out of the water, Thais, "wai nam dai? "Dai, dai" Mai dai i was pulling them out. Some fully clothed and drowning in the weight.

RIP, swim schools Thailand, anyone want to open businesses I'm in, I can teach.

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Possible factors under consideration include falling from the jet ski

As a jet ski is already in the water almost u to one's ankles, "falling off" is no more than slipping into the water. There is no height from which to fall unless he operated the jet ski at high speed, hit a wave that would have thrown the victim off into the water. Otherwise, the victim might have lost balance from "loss of consciousness" due to a physical impairment and simply slid into the water and drowned. Hopefully the medical examination will include a toxicity test.

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

As a jet ski is already in the water almost u to one's ankles, "falling off" is no more than slipping into the water. There is no height from which to fall unless he operated the jet ski at high speed, hit a wave that would have thrown the victim off into the water. Otherwise, the victim might have lost balance from "loss of consciousness" due to a physical impairment and simply slid into the water and drowned. Hopefully the medical examination will include a toxicity test.

Jetskis run in circles without a rider. Perhaps it hit his head and knocked him unconscious.

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

Jetskis run in circles without a rider. Perhaps it hit his head and knocked him unconscious.

Usually attach kill switch to wrist for safety.

Life jacket ?

very sad nevertheless...

No front turning life jacket, helmet and tether? Of course not. Thais are superheroes and don't need safety things. Other than an amulet and tattoo.

3 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

The years I lived in Phuket, i pulled 15-20 Thais out of the 30+ people out of the water, Thais, "wai nam dai?

Why didn't you ask them correctly?

10 hours ago, Packer said:

Why didn't you ask them correctly?

I apologize if my Thai is not up to speed there guy..............why not post something that actually pertains to the topic?

First of all every employee of this type should be required to wear a life jacket which would very possibly prevent drowning.

Secondarily nobody should have a job like this unless they're a very good swimmer.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

First of all every employee of this type should be required to wear a life jacket which would very possibly prevent drowning.

Thai navy personnel don't even close safety doors that must be kept closed at all times, during storms, because opening and closing them every time is too inconvenient for them. And nothing bad is going to happen to them. so following protocol is stupid, and they're really clever by not inconveniencing themselves, not stupid. There's little hope for some teen jet ski guy actually following safety protocol and rules.

55 minutes ago, Packer said:

Thai navy personnel don't even close safety doors that must be kept closed at all times, during storms, because opening and closing them every time is too inconvenient for them.

Do they also leave their flip flops just outside the safety door?