French family discharged after 16-hour drift off Koh Samui following jet ski capsizing

A French father and his two sons, aged five and seven, have been discharged from a Thai hospital after spending more than 16 hours adrift at sea off the coast of Koh Samui. The family was rescued on Friday morning following the capsizing of a rented jet ski, an incident that has prompted investigations into the cause of the vessel’s failure and the circumstances surrounding the rental agreement.

Local government official Amorn Chomchoey confirmed to AFP that the family was found exhausted and had swallowed significant amounts of seawater. They were transported to a medical facility for checks and released shortly thereafter. The family has since remained in Thailand to continue their holiday.

The incident began on Thursday evening when the father, described as 50 years old, rented a jet ski from a local operator at approximately 5pm. The operator reported concern when the family failed to return by the agreed time, subsequently alerting local rescuers and provincial authorities. The family was located around 10am on Friday, having drifted for over 16 hours.

Investigators are currently examining why the jet ski capsized after operating for just over 15 minutes. Footage shared by the Koh Samui district office depicts the vessel almost completely submerged, with only the triangular front section visible above the water. In the images, one of the boys is seen sitting atop the jet ski while his father floats nearby, both wearing life jackets.

Conflicting narratives have emerged regarding the family’s adherence to the rental contract. The jet ski operator told local media that the family appeared to have travelled outside the agreed area. Conversely, officials noted that the father claimed to be an experienced jet ski driver, implying compliance with the rental terms. The exact cause of the capsizing remains under investigation.