A 25-year-old Austrian man, identified only as David, has been arrested in connection with a fatal jet ski collision that resulted in the death of a Russian tourist at Karon Beach, Phuket. The incident took place on December 17, 2024, when 58-year-old Kirill was swimming near the Sue Puen Mon Bai restaurant.
What was initially believed to be a drowning was later revealed, through witness accounts and CCTV footage, to have been caused by a speeding jet ski that struck the victim and then fled the scene. Local fishermen found the body shortly after midnight on December 18. Authorities struggled to identify the victim at first, but a hotel-branded beach towel left on the shore helped confirm he was a Russian tourist traveling alone.
Further investigation of nearby hotel CCTV footage revealed two foreign tourists riding jet skis in the area. Local jet ski rental operators identified the jet skis as belonging to the “Chao Mai” company, which had rented out three jet skis (numbers 5, 10, and 12) at the time of the incident.
After an intensive investigation, police traced the suspect to a resort on Phi Phi Island in Krabi province. A joint operation involving Phi Phi Island Police, Karon Police, Immigration officials, and Tourist Police led to his arrest around 6:30 PM on December 19.
Police Colonel Surasak Jaidee, superintendent of Phi Phi Island Police Station, led the arrest team, acting on a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court. The suspect faces charges of reckless endangerment resulting in death but denies all allegations. He has been transferred to Karon Police Station for further investigation.
