Karon Police Pol Lt Sathaporn Seenun told The Phuket News that the trouble began around 6pm on Monday at Kata beach, when the jet ski operator finished work for the day.
He was dragging his jet ski from the sea and put it on a trailer. He then drove the quad bike away with the trailer attached, and the wheels of the trailer allegedly drove over the German tourist’s belongings, including a helmet the tourist was renting for a motorbike.
Police said the German tourist, aged in his mid 20s, then approached the jet ski operator asking him to compensate for the broken helmet.
Unable to come to an agreement, the German man then started to walk away, when he saw the jet ski operator chasing him down the beach with an anchor in his hand. The man swung the anchor at the German, narrowly missing his head.
The chase ended when the jet ski operator realised his actions had been seen by people on the beach and had attracted attention, and he drove off on his quad bike.
A witness told police the jet ski operator was Thai, tanned, and of large build. He also gave details of how the attack happened.
Anyone who has details of the attack should call Karon Police Station on 076-396-393 or Lt Sathaporn on 086-071-8468.