Amid the controversy over “Gun Jomphalang” using jet skis to search for the three crew members of Mayuri Naree, a popular page cited an example where a jet ski was shot at without warning because it was perceived as a “threat” or a “suicide attack boat.”
On 13 Mar 2026 GMT+7, a reporter reported that the Thai cargo ship "Mayuri Naree" was attacked near the engine room and sustained damage near the Strait of Hormuz. It was reported that 20 crew members were rescued, but 3 remained missing. Subsequently, the families of the missing contacted "Gun Jomphalang," who proposed using world champion-level jet skis to assist in the search, reasoning that jet skis are small and might not be targeted like larger vessels. This led to a social media controversy as previously reported.
Regarding this matter, Dr. Witawat Siriprachai, also known as “Sergeant Pichit Khakad Palachon,” owner of the Facebook page “Drama-addict,” posted an opinion citing a case example: “The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically tense areas, heavily patrolled by both the Iranian navy (especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC) and international coalition forces (such as the United States). Small, fast-moving vehicles like jet skis are immediately scrutinized and interpreted as a “threat” or a “suicide attack boat,” which may be shot at without prior warning.”
There was a case in 2023 where a group of French-Moroccan tourists rode jet skis from a resort beach in Morocco but got lost and ran out of fuel, drifting into Algerian territorial waters.
The Algerian Coast Guard fired at the unarmed tourists, resulting in two deaths and one arrest. Algerian authorities claimed they issued warning shots, but the jet skis tried to flee in an area known for drug smuggling.
Additionally, there have been cases of jet skis used in combat in the Crimean Peninsula by both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Therefore, it is highly likely that if jet skis enter such areas, Iranian forces would shoot immediately, interpreting them as threats.
So, if anyone plans to use jet skis in that area, good luck.”
Source: Facebook page Drama-addict