Kan Jompalang proposes jet ski rescue plan for missing Thai sailors near Hormuz

2026-03-13 - 06:34

BANGKOK — Kanthat Pongpaiboonvej, widely known as Kan Jompalang, has proposed sending a jet ski team to help search for three missing Thai crew members after a Thai cargo vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel Mayuree Naree was reportedly attacked near the strait, leaving three Thai crew members still missing. Kan Jompalang is a well-known Thai activist who has taken part in several rescue and relief efforts during disasters and emergencies. Kan Jompalang met the family of one of the missing sailors on Thursday to update them on the situation and discuss possible ways to assist the search efforts. He said that if the missing crew members are not found soon, the families could provide additional information to the Royal Thai Navy to help authorities assess the situation and support rescue operations. Kan Jompalang said he regularly works with the navy and has shared information with the force, although other agencies have not contacted him so far. “We want to help Thai people overseas. Right now three Thais are still missing and we do not know whether they are safe. We must help bring them back,” he said. He added that he had suggested a possible rescue plan to the navy using inflatable boats or jet skis, arguing that smaller craft might be less likely to become targets than large vessels. Kan Jompalang said his team includes several world champion jet ski riders who could assist in the operation if requested by the navy. “If the navy wants support, our team is ready to deploy and work together with them,” he said. However, the proposal has drawn widespread criticism online, with some people saying the situation involves conflict in a foreign region and should be handled by the navy. Others questioned whether jet skis could operate safely in the Arabian Sea. Responding to critics in a social media post, Kan Jompalang said the idea was only a proposal and noted that unconventional rescue methods had worked in past operations. He said his team had previously used jet skis to evacuate injured people from dangerous areas during disasters and emergencies. Kan Jompalang estimated the distance to the vessel at about 30 kilometres from shore, which he said jet skis could reach within their fuel range. He stressed that the idea was only one option and that his team would act only if authorities considered it useful. “If the operation team sees it as helpful, we are ready to cover all expenses ourselves,” he said, adding that coordination with the host country and local authorities would be needed.