Indian man killed after 'dangerous' riding on water off eastern coast

An Indian man has died following a jet-ski accident off Koh Larn, 4km off Pattaya.

Rohid Manihar, 26, was still unconscious when rescue workers transferred him to Bali Hai Port following the crash off Dawaen Beach on Thursday afternoon.

Manihar hired the jet-ski with five other friends, but the owner told one local paper the Indian man had driven the marine vehicle in an unsafe manner before hitting another jet-ski ridden by his nephew.

Manihar's friends and nephew tried to revive him, but he was declared dead on arrival at Pattaya Memorial Hospital.

Police are looking into the accident. It follows a string of similar dramas at beach resorts in Thailand, where tourists are often seen riding jet-skis at high speed close to swimmers.

Overstayed his welcome

In other news from Pattaya, Tourist Police arrested a Norwegian man found to have an expired visa and outstanding bar, hotel and restaurant bills. Ole Jan Skatan, 51, was arrested following complaints from a hotel, beer bar and restaurant.

Police acted after being presented with bills totalling over Bt20,000. Skatan allegedly told people he was waiting for someone in Norway to send money to him.

New Rotary chief

Meanwhile, local personality Peter Malhotra, the boss of the Pattaya Mail, has been named the head of the local Rotary group (district 3340).

About 400 Rotarians packed into the Royal Cliff Beach Resort recently to honour Malhotra as the new "DG" or district governor. Malhotra has been a Rotarian for 21 years. For photos and details check the Pattaya Mail website.

Hotel rooms burgled

Separately, two tourists lost large sums when their hotel rooms were robbed this week. Italian Massimo Gambelli, 62, lost ¤1,200 (Bt60,400) and Bt40,000 in cash, plus a camera and mobile phone while staying at the Golden Star Apartment block in South Pattaya.

And Mark Woods, 46, from Australia, found Bt100,000 had disappeared from a safe box in the wardrobe in his room at the Captain's Bar and Guest House in Central Pattaya. Police are looking into both matters.

Mountain biking

Finally, the Mountain Bike Association and Pattaya City will stage a cycling event on Koh Larn next month to promote tourism on Coral Island.

The Koh Larn Mountain Bike Challenge will be held on June 14 and 15.

The event also aims to promote sport and to keep youths away from drugs.

Entrants will have to pay Bt200 each, but large prizes will be on offer. For more information, contact Worawit on (086) 815 9031 or Supot on (081) 357 4373.