Jet skier arrested for riding in Bangkok flood waters

A jet skier who rode through flooded Bangkok deliberately making waves has been arrested as Thailand’s severe weather emergency turned deadly.

Social media video shows the man turning his jet ski sharply on a flooded road, sending spray across pavements, pedestrian bridge steps and roadside walls.

Following complaints by residents, the 27 year old was detained by police on Sunday before being fined and given a suspended sentence, reports the Bangkok Post.

Authorities in Bangkok say conditions had improved enough to accelerate drainage efforts. Water levels in four main canals had risen too high over the weekend to take in runoff from surrounding communities.

The weekend impacted about 700,000 people, the Bangkok Flood Control Center reported.

There were two flood-related deaths in the city and at least 10 across Thailand, local media reports.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt declared a flood emergency last Saturday across all 50 city districts, although some were relatively unscathed.

He said authorities were prioritising help for vulnerable residents, including older people and those with disabilities, by delivering supplies or evacuating them. City officials said nearly 7000 people were staying in shelters.

The Thai Air Force announced it was sending 69 ground personnel to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to help clear a backlog of passenger luggage caused largely by airport workers being unable to get to their place of work.

The disruptions delayed some departures and forced arriving passengers to wait longer than usual for their luggage, with baggage from several flights still undelivered, the airport said.

More rain was forecast across much of Thailand, although Bangkok was expected to receive less. Cambodia and Myanmar were also experiencing severe weather.

- With The Associated Press