Archive · 15 Aug 2026
French Family Rescued After 16 Hours Adrift Off Koh Samui
A family from France went for a ride on a small water vehicle called a jet ski near an island called Koh Samui in Thailand.
The jet ski tipped over, and they ended up floating in the sea.
They floated for more than 16 hours, which is almost a whole day and night.
The person who rented them the jet ski noticed they did not come back on time.
He called rescuers to help find the family.
Rescue workers found them in the morning, tired and having swallowed a lot of sea water.
One of the little boys was sitting on top of the upside-down jet ski, wearing a life jacket.
The family went to the hospital for a check-up but were fine and left quickly.
They chose to stay in Thailand and continue their holiday.
People are still trying to figure out exactly why the jet ski tipped over.
A 50-year-old French father and his two sons, aged five and seven, were rescued after spending more than 16 hours adrift at sea off Koh Samui.
The family's rented jet ski capsized just over 15 minutes after they set out around 5:00 pm on Thursday.
The rental operator alerted rescuers and provincial authorities when the family failed to return at the agreed time.
Rescuers found the family around 10:00 am on Friday; they were exhausted after swallowing seawater and were briefly hospitalised before being discharged.
Investigators are probing why the jet ski capsized, while the operator claimed the family travelled outside the agreed rental area; the family continued their holiday in Thailand.
- Who
- A 50-year-old French father and his two sons, aged five and seven, rescued by local authorities; local official Amorn Chomchoey confirmed the rescue.
- What
- The family's rented jet ski capsized, leaving them adrift at sea for more than 16 hours before they were rescued.
- When
- From around 5:00 pm on Thursday until approximately 10:00 am on Friday.
- Where
- Waters off Koh Samui, a resort island in the Gulf of Thailand.
- Why
- The jet ski capsized after about 15 minutes of operation; investigators are examining the cause, while the operator claimed the family left the agreed rental area.
Family's Account
Operator's Account
Cause of the Jet Ski Capsizing
Family's Account
The father said he was an experienced jet ski driver, and investigators are looking into why the jet ski capsized after just over 15 minutes of operation.
Operator's Account
The jet ski operator told local media that the family appeared to have travelled outside the agreed area specified in the rental contract.
- Family
- French father (50) with two sons aged 5 and 7
- Location
- Off Koh Samui, Gulf of Thailand
- Time adrift
- More than 16 hours
- Rental departure
- Around 5:00 pm Thursday
- Rescue time
- Around 10:00 am Friday
- Jet ski operation before capsizing
- Just over 15 minutes
- Condition after rescue
- Exhausted after swallowing seawater; discharged from hospital shortly after
- Aftermath
- Family remained in Thailand and continued their holiday