French Family Rescued After 16-Hour Sea Ordeal Near Koh Samui
By Editor • August 15, 2026 • 1 min read
A family from France faced a harrowing experience after their jet ski capsized off the coast of Koh Samui, Thailand, leaving them stranded for over 16 hours at sea.
The incident unfolded when the father, 50, and his two young sons, aged five and seven, failed to return at the scheduled time after renting a jet ski on Thursday evening. Concerned, the rental operator alerted local authorities, prompting a rescue operation.
When rescuers located the family, they were exhausted and had swallowed significant amounts of seawater. Fortunately, they were given medical checks at a hospital and released shortly thereafter. Eyewitnesses reported the jet ski was nearly upside down, with only a small part visible above water.
While the father claimed to be an experienced jet ski operator, reports indicated that the family might have ventured outside the designated area outlined in their rental agreement. Nevertheless, the family continued their vacation in Thailand following the incident.
Source: www.france24.com
