1 day ago
Jet Ski Stunt During Bangkok Floods Sparks Public Anger
Bangkok was badly flooded after several days of heavy rain.
Many people had water in their homes and could not get food, clean water or electricity.
During the flooding, Sorn Keadsiri rode a jet ski through city streets.
The jet ski pushed waves toward homes and shops and splashed people.
Videos of the ride spread quickly online.
People were angry because they thought he was treating their suffering like entertainment.
Keadsiri said he wanted to make people smile.
A court gave him a suspended jail sentence, fined him and took away his jet ski.
The incident also added to wider anger about how the government handled the floods.
Sorn Keadsiri, 27, rode a jet ski through flooded Bangkok streets, spraying pavements and shopfronts.
Residents criticized the stunt because thousands were facing submerged homes, disrupted services, shortages and damaged property.
A Bangkok court gave Keadsiri a suspended 15-day prison sentence, fined him 5,000 baht and confiscated his jet ski.
Keadsiri said he wanted to make people smile and was encouraged by a foreign friend.
Thailand’s Interior Ministry said more than 500,000 homes and 1.7 million people across 41 provinces remained affected.
- Who
- Sorn Keadsiri, a 27-year-old jet skier and son of Thai actress Joy Jamjuree, as well as Bangkok residents and authorities.
- What
- Keadsiri rode a jet ski through flooded streets, prompting public criticism, legal action and the confiscation of the jet ski.
- Where
- Flooded streets in Bangkok, Thailand.
- When
- The ride took place on Sunday; flooding and disruption were continuing on Monday.
- Why
- The stunt occurred while residents were dealing with submerged homes, shortages, disrupted services and financial losses, leading many to view it as insensitive.
Public and activist criticism
Keadsiri’s explanation
Purpose of the ride
Public and activist criticism
Residents and critics viewed the stunt as insensitive social-media content made while people were suffering from flooding.
Keadsiri’s explanation
Keadsiri said he wanted to make people smile during a difficult period.
Impact on residents
Public and activist criticism
People complained that the jet ski sprayed pavements and sent waves toward shopfronts, while some residents lacked food, water and electricity.
Keadsiri’s explanation
Keadsiri’s reported intention was to lighten the mood, rather than worsen residents’ situation.
Wider flood response
Public and activist criticism
Activist Elevenfinger said the episode reflected unequal flooding, inadequate relief and deeper problems involving waste, corruption and centralized decision-making.
Keadsiri’s explanation
The government’s response was represented by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s visit to affected residents, although some residents reportedly heckled him over the disaster response.
Key facts
- Court penalty
- Suspended 15-day prison sentence and a 5,000-baht fine
- Additional legal action
- Keadsiri’s jet ski was confiscated
- Reported allegations
- Causing public nuisance and obstructing traffic without authorization
- Flood impact
- More than 500,000 homes and 1.7 million people across 41 provinces remained affected
- Rainfall
- Rainfall in several Bangkok areas exceeded 300 millimetres over three days
- Reported deaths
- Flooding had killed eight people in eastern provinces since mid-September
- Estimated economic damage
- At least 11 billion baht nationwide, according to economist Aat Pisanwanich
- Keadsiri’s explanation
- He said he wanted to make people smile and was persuaded by a foreign friend
Quotes
Thanayut Na Ayutthaya (Elevenfinger)
Thai rapper and social activist who criticized the jet-ski stunt and broader flood response.
“People [who make viral content] could never truly understand or experience what it’s like to actually suffer from flooding. Instead of using their greater resources to help others, they use them to make content.”
firstpost.com
“Our phone batteries died, we had no running water – everything became difficult. It was terrible, I couldn’t do anything. I had to get out.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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