Thread: Drunk Saudi tourist steals jet ski on Patong Beach

A drunk foreign tourist caused a commotion on Patong Beach in Phuket yesterday after he was caught trying to steal a jet ski. The tourist, who was described as anxious and intoxicated, also attacked a jet-ski caretaker and tried to escape.


The incident was reported to the Patong Police at noon yesterday, and when they arrived at the scene, they found the drunk tourist had already been apprehended by beach lifeguards. The beach lifeguards reported that the Saudi tourist was attempting to steal a jet ski when they caught him.

According to the beach lifeguards, the tourist, identified only as Abdullah, assaulted the jet ski caretaker before taking off. Initial reports said he swam out to sea, but it appears he actually escaped on a stolen jet ski and managed to ride far out to sea before beach lifeguards and the jet ski caretaker caught up with him.


He had jumped off the jet ski he had taken and was treading water about a kilometre from the beach. Jet ski operators went out on three jet skis to recover Abdullah and the stolen jet ski.

Abdullah refused help and tried to stay out at sea treading water. After about half an hour rescuers returned to bring him back to shore on a jet ski.


During the journey back to the beach, the rescuers had to tie Abdullah’s hands in order to avoid any additional harm to himself or others.


Upon reaching the shore, he was taken to Patong Hospital due to exhaustion, although he remained conscious throughout the journey. Local officers at the scene reported that Abdullah was speaking incomprehensibly and appeared to be in a state of anxiety.

As of the latest report, the drunk Saudi tourist remained under care at Patong Hospital while officers continued their investigation into the incident. The circumstances surrounding Abdullah’s decision to take the jet ski and the subsequent events leading to his rescue remain unclear.

Drunk Saudi tourist steals jet ski on Patong Beach | Thaiger

Whats the penalty for theft in saudi arabia?

He’s lucky they didn’t leave him out there.

Years ago, the Saudi government had to deal with so many such problems with their youth vacationing in Thailand, that they put a ban on single Saudi males travelling to Thailand.

Originally Posted by mackayae

Years ago, the Saudi government had to deal with so many such problems with their youth vacationing in Thailand, that they put a ban on single Saudi males travelling to Thailand.

There were no direct flights between Saudi and Thailand for years in the wake of the Blue Diamond affair in 1989.

This was something of a 'token' thing, as people merely crossed the causeway to neighbouring Bahrain and flew to Bangkok from there, or of course just changed planes in places like Dubai and Qatar.

There has never been a ban on single Saudi males in particular flying to Thailand because of 'problems with...youth vacationing in Thailand'.

Local officers at the scene reported that Abdullah was speaking incomprehensibly

Yeah, Arabic can seem like that to the non speaker.

Originally Posted by cyrille

There has never been a ban on single Saudi males in particular flying to Thailand because of 'problems with...youth vacationing in Thailand'.

Which is a shame really.

Originally Posted by cyrille

There were no direct flights between Saudi and Thailand for years in the wake of the Blue Diamond affair in 1989.

This was something of a 'token' thing, as people merely crossed the causeway to neighbouring Bahrain and flew to Bangkok from there, or of course just changed planes in places like Dubai and Qatar.

There has never been a ban on single Saudi males in particular flying to Thailand because of 'problems with...youth vacationing in Thailand'.

During the ban a Saudi citizen had to apply for business reasons to leave Saudi for Thailand. It was a difficult process which killed the Saudi access to Thailand. I would guess in the '80s.
Thai Airlines stopped flying to Dhahran because of an altercation on board between a Saudi male and the Thai Steward. On arrival the Thai officials arrested the steward on drug charges. The steward spent a month in jail before the Thai government gained his release. The Thai flight crews refused to fly to Saudi after that incidence. Also in the '80s.

If that's true, and I highly doubt it, then this...

Originally Posted by mackayae

Years ago, the Saudi government had to deal with so many such problems with their youth vacationing in Thailand, that they put a ban on single Saudi males travelling to Thailand.

...still isn't true.

It seems far more likely that dhahran airport simply closed because Dammam, a purpose built public airport a few km north, opened.

Originally Posted by cyrille

If that's true, and I highly doubt it, then this...




...still isn't true.

It seems far more likely that dhahran airport simply closed because Dammam, a purpose built public airport a few km north, opened.

This was years before KFIA.
Believe me it's true. I lived in Dhahran from 1980- 1998.

Man, that's a long time 1980-1998. The Saudi you experienced was far different from the one I was in from 2016-2022. Lots of changes in the short six years I was there.

Originally Posted by cyrille

There were no direct flights between Saudi and Thailand for years in the wake of the Blue Diamond affair in 1989.

I worked in KSA 1996 - 2004 and flew Saudi Arabian Airlines to/from Bangkok many times during that period.

Originally Posted by mackayae

During the ban a Saudi citizen had to apply for business reasons to leave Saudi for Thailand. It was a difficult process which killed the Saudi access to Thailand. I would guess in the '80s.

It never seemed to stop the Saudis that I worked with.
I guess they had wasta.