Gunshots were fired at a volunteer riding a jet ski to assist flood victims in Hat Yai on Tuesday night, with many other riders also reporting shouts of hostility and bottles thrown at them.
The hostile reaction was believed to be caused by trapped residents' frustration over the powerful waves spread by the jet skis.
The volunteer posted on his Facebook that he heard three gunshots behind him as he was taking food to victims.
“I wanted to help all of you, but it was impossible to park at some locations,” he said in a later video posted by another Facebook user.
It happened in the Ban Ko Mee area.
Other volunteer rescuers helping flood victims in the district also reported facing abuse, including shouts and bottles thrown at their jet skis.
One of them said people were upset by the strong waves generated by their jet skis, and their speed. Residents were afraid the waves would damage their houses, especially glass walls and windows.
He explained that the jet ski needed to create waves to maintain speed to avoid capsizing in the strong current. The waves also prevented debris, especially rope, becoming entangled in the propeller, he said.
He and his fellow jet ski volunteers asked the people of Hat Yai to show them some kindness.
