David Rimmer, a journalist from Hertford, England, is now extending a warning to other tourists looking at hiring jet-skis: Only do it if you know what you’re doing.
Mr Rimmer hired a jet-ski on February 9 while at Patong Beach, but he quickly got into trouble.
“From memory, I set off and the machine seemed to stop and start before accelerating. I then rode a straight line for about 300 yards before I turned around. The problems then started … and I headed toward the shore,” he told The Phuket News.
“My main aim was to avoid people and I ended up crashing into a speedboat. [It was] mainly me losing control. I do not know for sure if it was malfunctioning.”
Helped by two nurses from Australia, a shocked Mr Rimmer suffered severe bruised ribs, a sprained left ankle, a gash on his right calf, and bruises on his right leg.
“There were lots of people crowding around and I was in no fit state to talk to anybody. I cannot remember things very well but I do remember a police person being very officious.
“After a delay of about an hour I was taken to what I presume was Patong Hospital. I was there for about 90 minutes before being taken to the police station.”
Negotiation took place between Mr Rimmer and the jet-ski and boat owners over compensation for the damage. At first, Mr Rimmer said he was asked to pay B250,000, but this was reduced to B200,000.
The British Embassy in Bangkok were called, but Mr Rimmer said that “nothing much could be done”.
“I was not aware of any other problems faced by British tourists regarding jet-skis, and if I was, I would not have done it. Only do it if you are proficient.
“The most important thing is I didn’t kill anyone or hurt anyone and I lived to tell the tale. You shouldn’t do sports unless you are very adept, and I’m not. It’s a lesson learnt,” Mr Rimmer was quoted as saying in his home newspaper, the Hertfordshire Mercury.
“[It gave me a] sense of perspective,” he added.
“There are many people far worse off than me, and I am still alive. But I [do] not have money to go overseas now for quite a few years.”
A spokeswoman for the British Embassy told The Phuket News, “We can confirm that we were contacted by Mr Rimmer’s friend on February 10, however due to data protection legislation we are unable to share the details of that conversation.”
She said the Foreign Office travel advice for Thailand gives the following advice about hiring a jet ski:
“If you rent jet-skis or water sports equipment, satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place. Rent only from reputable, licensed and insured operators, thoroughly check for damage before use and insist on training.
“Don’t hand over your passport as a guarantee against returning a jet-ski. Unscrupulous owners have been known to hold on to passports against claimed damage to the jet-ski.”
A guide issued by the Embassy, titled ‘Support for British nationals abroad: a guide’, says the Embassy “cannot get involved in private disputes over property, employment, commercial or other matters because we are in no position to judge the facts and have no jurisdiction overseas to resolve such matters,” the spokeswoman said.
Phuket-based British Honorary Consul Martin Carpenter told The Phuket News he did not know about the incident until he was alerted to the story in the Hertfordshire Mercury.
Kathu Police, who cover the Patong area, said they were not involved in the negotiation process, which they said took place on the beach, and were unable to provide details of the case.
The Tourist Police, also based in Patong, were also unable to provide details when contacted by The Phuket News.