Kasetsat University rector Bodin Ratsamithet was full of praise for the fishing boat that rescued him after he spent a night adrift at sea in the Gulf of Thailand after being tossed from his jetski on Sunday.He was attempting a jetski crossing from Sattahip in Chon Buri to Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, one of a group of about 50, when disaster struck. His absence was not noticed until after the jetski fleet arrived at Hua Hin beach about 1pm amid strong winds. They had left Toey Ngam Beach in Sattahip at 9am. Mr Bodin, the rector designate at Kasetsat, told Thairath online he was tossed from his jet ski when it was hit by strong waves. He tried to swim back to the jet ski, but the craft was swept away by the waves and soon disappeared from sight. Mr Bodin said he was kept afloat by his life jacket and drifted at sea into the night.
He kept looking for a fishing boat and at one time spotted a light in the distance and tried to swim to it, but could not reach it. For the rest of the night, he saw nothing but the sky and the waves. The rough sea kept him awake. He found a floating piece of wood and clutched it to his chest. It felt like having a friend. Despite the peril he was in, he still believed he would survive and that someone would eventually come to his rescue. I saw a helicopter hovering above. But they did not see me. I tried to do my best at the time." On Monday morning, he finally sighted a fishing boat and swam towards it. The crew saw him and he was finally pulled from the sea and to safety. "Thanks to the fishing crew for saving my life. They gave me something sweet and other things to eat," Mr Bodin said. He sent his thanks to all who were concerned about him, and said he was sorry for causing them worry. Mr Bodin said his advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position is to remain conscious and aware. The sea is much different from a river. We may have confidence in ourselves, but things were much different in the situation I found myself in," he added. Mr Bodin said he would continue to go jet skiing, but would probably do it in a river first. He was unaccounted for after a fleet of some 50 jet skis arrived at Hua Hin beach at 1pm amid strong winds. They had left Toey Ngam Beach in Sattahip at 9am. Pol Col Chaiyakorn Sriladecho, chief of......