A prominent Australian businessman has plunged to his death while parasailing in Thailand, with his wife capturing footage of the horrifying fall from the beach below.

Roger John Hussey smiled for his wife, who filmed him as he stood on Kata Beach, in Phuket, and prepared to take part in the water sports activity on Wednesday.

But just moments after being lifted up into the air, the 70-year-old fell more than 100 feet into the shallows below as his wife and dozens of horrified beachgoers watched on.
Emergency services rushed Mr Hussey to the nearby Patong Hospital but he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The Perth-based businessman and his Thai-born wife Budsabong Thongsangka were reportedly just 12 days into their dream holiday.
According to his social media accounts, Mr Hussey was educated at the prestigious Oxford University where he completed a Masters' degree in Economics and Politics.

He later also studied at the renowned Stanford University in California, United States.

In the wake of Mr Hussey's death, the boat operator and staff member on the parasail were reportedly both arrested and charged with recklessness leading to death.

Lt. Col. Suwisit Keereerak, Deputy Chief Inspector of Karon Police Station, said they were now investigating the accident.

The two staff who were charged were named as the parasailor Rungroj Rakscheep, 38, and Montien Chandeng, 45, the boat captain.