Man rescued after 18 hours in Thai sea clinging to driftwood

The man said he had practiced in a river and not been ready for the ocean

Powerful waves from a typhoon in the Philippines were warned across the Gulf of Thailand (Rex Features)

A rector swept away to sea has managed to survive by clinging to a driftwood log for 18 hours.

Bodin Ratsamithet, a rector at a Thai university, was left stranded in the water after powerful waves toppled him off his jet ski as he sped across the Gulf of Thailand as part of a race, according to Thai news site Khaosod.

Fishermen found the 49-year-old at around 6.30 am Monday morning, holding onto bamboo wood approximately 30 km offshore.

"While I was drifting in the sea, I found a log floating, so I held it for support and sometimes sat on it, but bamboo wood is slippery," he told Khaosod.

Weather warnings had been issued after strong waves driven by a Phillipines typhoon were expected across the gulf.

Mr Bodin said he had practiced jet skiiing in a river but had not been prepared for the difficult conditions at sea.

After he was swept away, the famous Thai jet ski racer Nakor "Ple" Silachai, also in the competition, told the police of Mr Bodin disappearance.

About 60 people were in race from Sattahip to Hua Hin, Khaosod reported.

The rector, who works at Kasetsart University, recalled seeing a rescue helicopter only 100 metres from him shining light into the sea, but said he was unable to get its attention.

After spending 18 hours holding onto his log before being rescued, Mr Bodin was taken to hospital for a check-up but is understood to be uninjured.