Aussie’s Extradition Sought After Jet-ski Death

[george]

Aussie’s extradition sought after jet-ski death

KAMALA: -- Kathu Police are to seek the extradition of an Australian in connection with the death of a Thai man, allegedly killed by a jet-ski while spearfishing near Laem Hin on January 25.

Kathu Police Superintendent Pol Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen today told the Gazette that the Australian, a 29-year-old tourist, was questioned after the incident but was released because of lack of evidence. The Australian had since left the country.

But Col Theeraphol said police now have a witness who saw the Australian in the water near the victim. The Australian was then seen to get back on the jet-ski and leave the area.

Kathu Police will now forward the case to the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police, he said.

Kathu Police Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Chaowalit Niemwadee earlier identified the victim as Nikon Nachaiya, 28, from Cherng Talay.

K. Nikorn, who was wearing a diving mask, was found by lifeguards, floating unconscious in the water off Laem Singh, Kamala. He was rushed to Patong Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, Col Chaowalit said.

A nurse at Patong Hospital told the Gazette that a report on the examination of K. Nikhon’s body listed the cause of death as “drowning”.

Col Chaowalit told the Gazette that when police questioned the Australian soon after the accident, he admitted to having rented a jet-ski, but denied hitting anyone.

The man who rented the jet-ski to him backed up the Australian’s story, saying that the vessel was undamaged and had been returned before the accident occurred.

About 50 people attended funeral services for K. Nikhon on Monday. Among them was P amela Wetzell, a Director of Development Management Group, who employed K. Nikhon as a messenger and driver.

“He was a great guy – always smiling. Very sweet,” she told the Gazette.

She said that K. Nikhon and his wife also worked as live-in help for a man living in the hills between Kamala and Surin. The couple had a three-year-old son and K. Nikhon’s wife is now pregnant with the couple’s second child, she added.

The victim’s hobby was spearfishing and he was out doing this to get food for his employer’s dinner at the time of the accident, Mrs Wetzell said.

“I hope this will galvanize local authorities to finally take action against jet-skis,” she added.

Rented jet-skis have been involved in numerous accidents in recent years, some of them fatal, but this is thought to be the first in which a swimmer was killed by one.

Strictly speaking, jet-skis may be operated in Thai waters only by people holding a valid Thai sea captain’s license, but this regulation has never been enforced in Phuket.

Although the machines are a common cause of complaint among tourists, officials have consistently failed to regulate the Phuket jet-ski rental industry.

--Phuket Gazette 2006-02-01

[redrus]

Aussie’s extradition sought after jet-ski death

A nurse at Patong Hospital told the Gazette that a report on the examination of K. Nikhon’s body listed the cause of death as “drowning”. No bruises....?

The man who rented the jet-ski to him backed up the Australian’s story, saying that the vessel was undamaged and had been returned before the accident occurred.

Surely there would have been damage to one or the other.!

“I hope this will galvanize local authorities to finally take action against jet-skis,” she added.

Rented jet-skis have been involved in numerous accidents in recent years, some of them fatal, but this is thought to be the first in which a swimmer was killed by one.

Although the machines are a common cause of complaint among tourists, officials have consistently failed to regulate the Phuket jet-ski rental industry.

--Phuket Gazette 2006-02-01

The above says it really.

On recent travels to Turkey and around Europe, they seem to make this all look so easy by

just placing a floating lane (like at pools to separate lanes) around a large section of the beach.

Thus giving ski's/bikes enough room to get out and beyond, also letting bathers/snorklers etc + ski's/bikes, the line that neither "should" cross.

redrus

[dannishgung]

Another joke out of Thailand, trying to extradite a man back to thailand without any concrete evidence. I think Australia government will be laughing as well when they get the request.

[LaoPo]

Another joke out of Thailand, trying to extradite a man back to thailand without any concrete evidence. I think Australia government will be laughing as well when they get the request.

Hmmm..maybe so, but would you write the same if it was the way around..? Thai jetski driver and (Aussie) Farang dead..?

No word from you about the (now) widow with a 3 year old child and pregnant... husband dead and probably no or very low income to raise and feed them.

What kind of comment is this ?

And....I'm not so sure as you are about the Australia government laughing...

LaoPo

[simon43]

Strictly speaking, jet-skis may be operated in Thai waters only by people holding a valid Thai sea captain’s license, but this regulation has never been enforced in Phuket.

WHY NOT??!!! If the authorities bothered to enforce the existing laws, then maybe there would be fewer accidents and deaths!

Simon

[baabaabobo]

A mistake was made in the police report and it turns out the guy was Austrian and NOT Australian... the page has been updated.

[judyel]

Strictly speaking, jet-skis may be operated in Thai waters only by people holding a valid Thai sea captain’s license, but this regulation has never been enforced in Phuket.

WHY NOT??!!! If the authorities bothered to enforce the existing laws, then maybe there would be fewer accidents and deaths!

Simon

The darn things ought to be banned on principle alone. They're a pain!

I've never understood the logic of allowing these noisy stinking machines on a beach where just one person gets the enjoyment out of it while dozens (or hundreds) of others on the beach have to have their peace and quiet interupted. This isn't just a problem in LOS, of course . . . it's everywhere!

Very sad that someone died

[redrus]

A mistake was made in the police report and it turns out the guy was Austrian and NOT Australian... the page has been updated.

Can anyone confirm this or is it as I suspect, untrue....?

redrus

[baabaabobo]

A mistake was made in the police report and it turns out the guy was Austrian and NOT Australian... the page has been updated.

Can anyone confirm this or is it as I suspect, untrue....?

redrus

Why would you suspect it being untrue?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Austri...8836359668.html

[redrus]

A mistake was made in the police report and it turns out the guy was Austrian and NOT Australian... the page has been updated.

Can anyone confirm this or is it as I suspect, untrue....?

redrus

Why would you suspect it being untrue?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Austri...8836359668.html

If you'd have supplied the link, or more details in the first place, my reasons would have been totally unfounded.

redrus