Jet ski 'drifter' surfing Bangkok flood arrested, fined

A still from the jet ski stunt video shows the rider manoeuvring through a flooded section of Phetchaburi road in Bangkok. (screenshot) A man who rode a jet ski through Bangkok floodwaters, deliberately making waves along submerged Phetchaburi Road on Sunday evening, was later arrested and charged with causing a public nuisance. 

A 27-year-old man, identified as Sorn Keadsiri, was later fined, given a suspended prison sentence and placed on a year's probation.

A video widely circulated on Thai social media showed the rider accelerating and making sharp turns, sending waves towards homes and roadside structures.

Some local news outlets reported that nearby residents had complained about the stunt, as other people were also using the flooded road.

The jet ski rider initially posted a video on his Facebook account with the caption “B K K D R I F T”. The account and original post could not be found on the site as of Monday morning.

The video showed the rider manoeuvring through a flooded section of the road, with water spraying across pavements, pedestrian bridge steps and roadside walls.

Several motorcyclists were also seen travelling through the area, while some cars had been parked along the road after their engines stalled in the flood.

The rider reportedly told police that he was unaware of Thai culture because he graduated from abroad. He said he wanted only to make people smile during a time of hardship, according to Thai media reports.