Watch: Thai man rides jet ski through flooded Bangkok streets, gets arrested

A man rode a jet ski along a flooded Bangkok road as motorists struggled through rising water. The viral stunt led to his arrest and unfolded amid a deadly wider flood emergency in Thailand.The stunt unfolded on New Phetchaburi Road on Sunday evening. (Photo: Screengrab/X)Thailand is battling severe flooding after days of torrential rain left parts of Bangkok submerged, disrupted traffic and forced residents to navigate waterlogged streets. Amid the chaos, a 27-year-old man was filmed riding a jet ski through one of the flooded roads, a stunt that later led to his arrest.The stunt unfolded on New Phetchaburi Road on Sunday evening, as parts of Bangkok remained waterlogged after days of heavy rain. A video of the ride quickly spread across social media, showing the man accelerating through the floodwaters and performing tight turns while people and vehicles struggled to navigate the same road.The rider was identified as 27-year-old Sorn Keadsiri. According to the Bangkok Post, he was later detained by Makkasan police and charged with causing a public nuisance and obstructing traffic.The Bangkok North Municipal Court on Monday sentenced Sorn to one month in prison and fined him 10,000 baht (over Rs 28,500). After he pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities, the jail term was reduced to 15 days and the fine to 5,000 baht. JET SKI STUNT ON FLOODED BANGKOK ROADThe video showed, at several points, the jet ski created large waves as it moved along the submerged road. Water could be seen spraying over pavements, pedestrian bridge steps and roadside walls. Several motorcyclists were also travelling through the flooded stretch, while cars had been left parked along the road after their engines stalled in the water.The person recording the video could be heard encouraging the rider, saying, "Nice nice. Go straight, go straight. Go straight all the way." The footage later became viral on Thai social media, drawing attention to the decision to use a disaster-hit road for what appeared to be a social media stunt.Sorn initially posted footage of the ride on his personal Facebook account under the name "Sorn Keadsiri".The video carried the caption "B K K D R I F T" and showed him manoeuvring the jet ski through the floodwaters. However, the account and original post could not be found on Facebook as of now.Police also charged the person who recorded the video with supporting the rider in the commission of a crime, according to authorities.RIDER SAYS HE WANTED TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILEDuring preliminary questioning, Sorn reportedly offered an explanation for the stunt.According to Thai media reports, he said he had recently returned to Thailand and that a foreign friend had encouraged him to carry out the display. Sorn reportedly told police that he wanted to make people smile during a difficult period and believed the stunt could help lift people's spirits amid the flooding.He also said he had been unaware of the relevant cultural expectations and precautions because he had graduated from abroad.According to local media reports, Sorn travelled to the flooded road with a Thai friend, who filmed the jet ski ride.Police impounded the jet ski after Sorn was arrested. Makkasan Metropolitan Police later said the court had ordered the vehicle to be confiscated."The seized jet ski will also be confiscated," Makkasan Metropolitan Police said in a statement revealing the court's decision.BANGKOK GRAPPLES WITH FLOOD DISASTERThe controversy surrounding the jet ski ride unfolded against the backdrop of a much wider flooding emergency in Thailand. Authorities said on Tuesday that the death toll from the rains and flooding had risen to 23. Floodwaters were beginning to recede in Bangkok, but tens of thousands of households remained affected, while the capital's main airport faced major disruption.Bangkok received around 320 mm (12.6 inches) of rain in just three days last week. That amount was close to what the sprawling, low-lying city normally receives throughout the entire month of September.The flooding brought parts of the capital to a standstill, with roads submerged, vehicles breaking down and residents dealing with waterlogged homes and disrupted transport.- Ends