Pattaya, Chonburi Province – March 2nd, 2026 – A 65-year-old Russian tourist sustained a serious head injury after being struck by a jet ski operated by an intoxicated Indian man who illegally entered a designated swimming area at Jomtien Beach on Monday morning.
The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. in the swimming zone near Soi 5 in Jomtien. Pattaya Marine Rescue Center received a report of a foreign woman being hit by a jet ski and suffering injuries.
Rescue teams, including lifeguards from Pattaya City’s coastal safety unit and volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, rushed to the scene. They found the victim, identified only as Ms. Erina, a 65-year-old Russian national, floating approximately 5 meters from shore with a laceration on her head. She was in a state of extreme shock and distress.
First aid was administered on the beach before she was transported to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital for further medical treatment.
While emergency personnel were treating the injured woman, a 34-year-old Indian man, identified as Mr. Jayesh Manvendra, approached on his knees to apologize. He admitted to being the operator of the jet ski that collided with the victim, claiming he had not seen her swimming in the area.
Police from Pattaya City Police Station took him into custody for questioning.
According to Mr. Wuttichai Denchaiyaphum, a Pattaya coastal lifeguard, he had earlier observed the Indian tourist riding the jet ski and breaching the buoy-marked boundary of the swimming zone. Concerned for the safety of swimmers, the lifeguard attempted to wave him out and order him to leave the restricted area. However, before he could fully intervene, the jet ski accelerated and struck the Russian woman who was swimming.
Rescue teams immediately entered the water to assist the victim and detained the operator, who was then handed over to police.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspect was heavily intoxicated, with slurred speech and unsteady behavior. Authorities have initially charged him with reckless conduct causing injury to another person. He has been transferred to relevant investigators for further legal proceedings.
