Australian man Thomas Keating has been formally charged with reckless driving causing death, after his partner was killed in a tragic jet-ski crash on the Thai resort island of Phuket.
Mr Keating arrived at Phuket police station on Thursday afternoon, supported by his family and the family of his girlfriend Emily Collie.
![A picture of the couple posted by Thomas Keating on his Facebook on Monday night.](/web/20170209074209im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/6/w/v/e/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu99s6.png/1486625802630.jpg)
He was formally charged with reckless driving causing death and his passport was confiscated by authorities.
Ms Collie, 20, died on Sunday when her jet-ski and Mr Keating's jet-ski collided off Kata Beach.
![Thomas Keating, 22, with his 'beautiful girl' Emily Collie, 20, who died in a jet ski crash.](/web/20170209074209im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/6/w/u/l/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu99s6.png/1486625802630.jpg)
It's believed Mr Keating may be banned from leaving Thailand until he faces court in relation to the reckless driving charge.
The parents of 20-year-old Emily Collie from Kyabram in north-east Victoria say they "do not believe anybody was at fault" for the crash that killed her in waters off Kata beach on Sunday.
"This was a tragic accident. We do not believe anyone was at fault," Ian and Sally Collie said in a statement.
"In particular, we do not place any blame on Tom Keating, who we care about very much and we know loved Emily deeply," they said.
"We are all heartbroken beyond words, and at this extremely sad time we wish to be together with our family, with Tom, and with other loved ones to grieve and celebrate Emily's life."
Mr Keating, 22, has said that while riding his jet-ski, the sunlight reflecting from the sea made it impossible for him to see Ms Collie's jet-ski.
"I'm so broken and I know I'll never be able to mend," he said.
Phuket police Colonel Sanya Thongsawad told the Phuket News that it would take about a month for the case to come before a court and Mr Keating would not be allowed to leave Thailand before it is heard, adding this was "standard procedure".
Colonel Thongsawad said he expected Mr Keating to be handed down no more than a two-year suspended sentence, allowing him to then leave the country.
It comes as six jet-ski operators, working from the beach where Ms Collie died, were found to have been renting out their watercraft without the required insurance.
The discovery was made on February 6, when officials from the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Police and Kata Police carried out checks on jet-ski operators at Kata Beach after the 20-year-old's death, the Phuket News reported. The operators were fined an undisclosed amount.
Both the Collie family and the Keating family have travelled to Phuket. Ms Collie's parents are expected to bring her body home to Victoria this weekend.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance both the Collie family and Mr Keating.
An online fundraiser has been set up to fund the "significant overseas travel costs, legal aid and the payment of an entire team of law consultants and lawyers both Thai and Australian", as well as flights, accommodation, for both families.
It raised $20,000 in the first day.
Each year an average of 50 Australians die on Phuket, where about 20,000 Australians holiday each month. Many of them are fatalities from motorcycle accidents involving tourists who hire them without having experience riding in Australia.