French father and two young sons rescued after 16 hours adrift off Thai island

A French man and his two young sons were pulled from the sea off Thailand's Koh Samui island after spending more than 16 hours adrift when their rented jet ski capsized, local official Amorn Chomchoey told AFP.

The 50-year-old father and his sons, aged five and seven, had rented the jet ski from a local operator at around 5pm on Thursday. When the family failed to return at the agreed time, the operator grew concerned and alerted rescuers and provincial authorities.

The family was located at around 10am on Friday. According to Amorn, all three were exhausted and pale after swallowing large amounts of seawater, particularly the boys. They were taken to hospital for checks following their ordeal but were discharged soon after.

Investigators are examining why the jet ski capsized just over 15 minutes into the trip. Amorn's secretary, who also works as a translator, said the father told officials he was an experienced jet ski driver. However, the rental operator told local media the family appeared to have strayed outside the area specified in their rental agreement.

Footage of the rescue released by the Koh Samui district office showed the jet ski almost entirely submerged, with only its triangular front section above the waterline. One boy was seen sitting atop the craft while his father floated beside him, both wearing life jackets. A rescuer could be heard telling them to stay calm and confirming they had survived, before helping the boy onto another boat and providing the family with water.

The family chose to remain in Thailand and continue their holiday after the incident, officials said. Koh Samui, a popular resort destination in the Gulf of Thailand known for its calm waters and wide range of resorts, draws millions of visitors, particularly families, each year.