Jet ski 'drifter' surfing Bangkok flood arrested, fined - Bangkok Post

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 by the Bangkok North Municipal Court.

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 personal Facebook account, “Sorn Keadsiri”, 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 person recording the video was heard in the clip saying, “Nice … nice. Go straight, go straight. Go straight all the way.” (continues below)

The arrested jet ski rider (left) talks to a police officer at Makkasan police station on Sunday. (Police  photo)

Makkasan police detained the rider and charged him with causing a public nuisance and obstructing traffic. The person who recorded the video was also charged with supporting the rider in the commission of a crime, police said.

During preliminary questioning, 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.

Police impounded the jet ski and planned to ask the court to confirm its forfeiture.

The Bangkok North Municipal Court on Monday sentenced Sorn Keadsiri, 27, to one month in prison and a fine of 10,000 baht. Due to his helpful guilty plea, the jail sentence was reduced to 15 days and the fine to 5,000 baht.

The court suspended the prison sentence for one year and placed him on 12-months probation.