A British tourist has been arrested and fined for allegedly sinking a jet ski in Thailand.
Vincent Zammitt, 26, from London, said he rented the machine for a 30-minute ride off the coast of Phuket earlier this month.
He was allowed to set sail into the idyllic turquoise waters, despite the jet ski not undergoing maintenance checks.
Mr Zammitt said he was carving up water when the jet ski’s warning lights reportedly went off 15 minutes into the ride.
The alarmed holidaymaker steered the watercraft back to shore but it capsized, leaving him stranded at sea in shark-infested waters.
A rescue team was called to the scene after he failed to return to the beach after 30 minutes.
Footage shows volunteers arriving on jet skis to save Mr Zammitt, seen wearing a life vest as he sat on the overturned machine.
But Mr Zammitt is convinced that the rental company set him up with a dodgy jet ski to fleece him – and that the police were in on it too.
Vincent Zammitt, 26, said he was carving up water when the jet ski’s warning lights reportedly went off 15 minutes into the ride
A rescue team was called to the scene after he failed to return to the beach after 30 minutes
Recounting the ordeal, he said: ‘I went to Phuket in Thailand on the April 9th, 2025. I decided to rent a jet ski out for 30 minutes.
‘Halfway through the journey, I noticed that the warning light was flashing on so I decided to drive back to shore.
‘All of a sudden I flipped off leading to be stranded in the ocean. Knowing that these were shark-heavy waters, I climbed on top of the jet ski for safety until being rescued, which led to the jet ski sinking.’
Mr Zammitt said he was arrested and fined 500 GBP upon returning to the beach.
However, he believed the rental operators had connived with corrupt police in a common scam targeting tourists.
He added: ‘I think they lure tourists in with a cheap price and will rent out faulty jet skis.
Mr Zammitt was left stranded on the overturned jet-ski and tried to stay out of the shark-infested waters by clambering on top
The holiday-maker believed the rental operators had connived with corrupt police in a common scam targeting tourists
‘I also believe the police are in on it too, and will get a cut from the fine and also the jet ski company.’
Phuket is among Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife.
However, it is also a notorious enclave of criminal activity, with greedy locals taking advantage of naive visitors.
Jet ski scams have become a notorious money spinner for locals, with rental companies working in cahoots with a few apparently corrupt police to extort vast sums from holiday makers for non-existent damage to the machines.
