Missing Kasetsart designated rector rescued from sea off Pranburi coast

[webfact]

Missing Kasetsart designated rector rescued from sea



HUA HIN: -- The designated rector of Kasesart University Dr Bodin Rasamithep who went missing during a jet ski crossing from Sattahip in the east coast to Hua Hin coast on Sunday was rescued safely at sea by a fishing boat this morning.

Dr Bodin was plucked from sea by the Sab-anant fishing boat after he shouted for help when the boat passed by while drifting 18 hours in the sea.

The skipper heard his shouts when the boat was 16 nautical miles off Pranburi coast in Prachuab Khiri Khan.

The skipper later alerted the Navy’s rescue centre which later sent a patrol boat to transfer him from the fishing boat to shore safely.

Dr Bodin was among 50 jet skis taking part in the crossing from Toey Ngam beach in Sattahip district of Chonburi.

They left at 9 am Sunday despite strong winds and high waves.

All but Dr Bodin arrived at Hua Hin beach at 1.00 pm yesterday.

A search and rescue operation was ordered immediately after he was reported missing Sunday afternoon.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/missing-kasetsart-designated-rector-rescued-from-sea


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-21

[NCC1701A]

i hope he took photos before he left of the underside of his jet ski.

i have never had my rector rescued from the sea. must be embarrassing.

Edited December 21, 2015 by NCC1701A

[SoilSpoil]

Is that photo for real? After drifting in sea for 18 hours I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to look so at ease as this rector.

This is one lucky man.

[WitawatWatawit]

That little misadventure almost rect 'um.

[tubby johnson]

The biggest tragedy is that he forgot to apply skin whitening cream beforehand.

[webfact]

Lost-at-Sea University Rector Clings to Log 18 Hours
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Bodin Ratsamithet after being brought ashore Monday morning in Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN — Bodin Ratsamithet, 49, was in a 100-kilometer jet ski race on Sunday when he was swept away by strong waves.

Bodin, the rector-designate of Kasetsart University, said he clung to driftwood log in the sea for about 18 hours before being rescued by fisherman early this morning.

“While I was drifting in the sea, I found a log floating, so I held it for support and sometimes sat on it, but bamboo wood is slippery,” he said this morning.

Bodin was found at about 6:30am this morning by a fishing boat about 30 kilometers off shore. Bodin said he was racing across the Gulf of Thailand from Sattahip to Hua Hin when he was swept from the jet ski.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1450681636


-- Khaosod English 2015-12-21

[Jeffrey346]

How come the search party didn't find him? A search helicopter would have as he was not that far from the race area... Or perhaps there was no search helicopter...

[USNret]

How come the search party didn't find him? A search helicopter would have as he was not that far from the race area... Or perhaps there was no search helicopter...

It is extremely difficult to spot a lone individual floating at sea from the air. Also, they said there was high winds & seas which makes even more so. If there were whitecaps, you can pretty much kiss off seeing a head bobbing in the water.

[PETERTHEEATER]

So, where is the jetski?

[soalbundy]

it sounded like a good idea at the time

[dirtycash]

why were they all not fitted with PLB,s ( personal locator beacon ) beforehand, this obviously would have been the most sensible thing to do saving millions of baht in rescue ops..

then again ,its thailand

[Traveller45]

I like it if high-ranking officials, whose main occupation by the nature of things is to polish office chairs with their rearside, once in a while take part in challenges such as this. We should give due credit. I am quite serious. Especially commendable in the developing world, as in their social fabric such a thing is done even less often.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Traveller45

[weegee]

it sounded like a good idea at the time

John Farnham???

[topt]

The strange thing is on 103FM local news about 6.30pm this evening they were saying this guy was still missing and presumed dead...........

So glad to hear he is actually alive and ok.

[thaiguzzi]

Mmmm, interesting. So, 4hrs with a jet ski from Chonburi to Hua Hin. Never thought about that. Sounds like fun, will have to try that one day.

[ggt]

A university degree does not guarantee common sense...could name numerous leaders who have risen to the height of their incompetence...

[Michaelaway]

why were they all not fitted with PLB,s ( personal locator beacon ) beforehand, this obviously would have been the most sensible thing to do saving millions of baht in rescue ops..

then again ,its thailand

100's of baht... maybe.

[tuanku]

Well done to the man for having the courage to attempt the race.

Well done to the fishing boat and rescue services for rescuing him

He could have just gone to the mall shopping for the weekend!

Surely he has been a good example to his students in that he has participated, albeit unsuccessfully, in a physically and mentally challenging activity.

Yes he probably could have been better prepared and better equipped but I, for one, like the spirit which inspired him to have a go.

He will have a story to tell for the rest of his life

[orchidlady]

He's lucky he didn't get stung by jelly fish.

[webfact]

LOST AT SEA
Kasetsart rector Bodin rescued after 20 hours lost at sea
WIMOL TABKONG,
APICHART HONGSAKUL
THE NATION



HUA HIN: -- Bodin was among a fleet of 50 competitors to ride jetskis from Toey Ngam Beach in Chon Buri's Sattahip district to Ao Khao Takiab in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district on Sunday morning when he went missing at sea.

His absence was noticed after the group arrived in Hua Hin at 1pm and a search launched immediately, but it had to be abandoned at around 11.45pm on Sunday due to poor visibility and strong winds and waves.

Bodin was found drifting 16 nautical miles off the coast by trawler captain Sompol Permchit and his crew at 6am yesterday. After being taken to shore by the Tor 230 patrol boat of the Naval Security Unit at Klai Kangwon Palace yesterday, Bodin shared his 20-hour ordeal at sea with the reporters.

He said strong winds and waves had knocked him off his jetski at around 11am on Sunday and nobody noticed he was gone due to the high waves. Unable to make his way back to shore as the jetski remained unreachable and eventually disappeared, he said he was kept afloat by the life jacket he wore.

"At night, while floating in the sea, I saw a helicopter fly past over my head, but its searchlight missed me by 100 metres. I later found some driftwood, so I hung on to it until I was rescued by the trawler," he said, adding he was thankful to all for ensuring his well-being.

His relatives later yesterday got a Bangkok Hospital helicopter to pick him up for another health check, even though doctors at Hua Hin Hospital had declared that he was fine.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Kasetsart-rector-Bodin-rescued-after-20-hours-lost-30275400.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-22

[tominbkk]

Lucky guy.

[JoePai]

As well organised as the recent marathon

[MJKT2014]

What the heck are people doing riding jet skis across the high seas come to mind?

[steven100]

What the heck are people doing riding jet skis across the high seas come to mind?

hey lets go to Bali for a week ... great idea .... we won't fly .. we'll take a jet ski

[Ulic]

I just want to know where the jet-ski is and why he did not stay with that but chose to cling to a log.

[ClutchClark]

why were they all not fitted with PLB,s ( personal locator beacon ) beforehand, this obviously would have been the most sensible thing to do saving millions of baht in rescue ops..

then again ,its thailand

PLBs have only become commonplace for recreational sporting events like this in recent years even in First World Countries.

But please don't let me stop you from knocking Thailand.

What would have been a far easier safety practice is a Buddy System.

[springheeled jack]

designated rector whatever that means should have known better than to try and cross the sea on a jetski its bad enough on a boat.

[stickylies]

him lucky...