An Australian tourist crashed his jet ski into a local's boat - sparking clashes with beach vendors who attacked him with flags.

The Aussie holidaymaker was allegedly thrashing the rented machine around too close to the shore when he collided with a wooden longtail vessel at Kata Beach in Phuket, Thailand, on January 4.

Footage shows the Aussie trying to reason with locals but his efforts were in vain - they battered with with the red flags used on the beach to warn of dangerous seas.

He backed away but one of the angry mob - around 12 inches shorter - changed at him and launched a flying kick at his hips.

Onlooker Christian Morris, who was sunbathing nearby, is heard in the video laughing with a pal.

He asks what happened before another beachgoer is heard saying 'get him, go on lad.'

Christian adds: 'He crashed the jet ski into the boat that pulled up on the shore there. Look at that. He's getting bruised up...'

After being hit by poles of pink and yellow flags, one of the locals chased after him and tried to strike a flying kick on the Aussie.

He used his hand to gesture them to stop before moving along while his friend followed him behind. The man eventually managed to leave without any serious injuries.

The filmer, Christian, said the reckless tourist has allegedly crashed into a wooden longtail boat that is used for taking guests on trips along the coast and to islands.