'My unbearable sorrow': Heartbroken boyfriend reveals why he's taking responsibility for his girlfriend's death in a jet-ski crash in Thailand

• Tommy Keating, from Victoria, has taken full responsibility for girlfriend's death
• Mr Keating said on Friday he felt 'unbearable sorrow at the loss of my soul mate'
• On Thursday it was reported he would plead guilty to recklessly causing death
• Emily Jayne Collie, 20, died in a jet-ski crash in Thailand on Sunday afternoon 

An Australian man has revealed why he will claim full responsibility for his girlfriend's death in a jet-ski accident on Thai resort island of Phuket.

Thomas Keating, 22, and Emily Collie, 20, from Victoria, were riding jet-skis near Kata Beach on Sunday afternoon when they collided at high speed.

Ms Collie was pronounced dead shortly after.

In a statement circulated on Friday, Mr Keating shared his 'gratitude' for the support Ms Collie's parents had shown him - after the mother and father were pictured walking with him hand-in-hand.

'They have my heartfelt gratitude for the love and support they have shown me while they are coping with the most devastating loss imaginable,' he said.

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'I would like to express my unbearable sorrow at the loss of my soul mate Emily, who I loved more than anything in this world, as well as my never-ending apologies and condolences to Ian and Sally Collie and the rest of their family'.

'Ian and Sally, I am so sorry.'

In his media statement, released through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Friday, Keating claimed full responsibility for the tragedy.

'I respect the country of Thailand and the Thai people. This was a tragic accident. However I take responsibility for what happened. And I have decided that the best thing is to accept a charge of careless driving leading to death,' he said.

On Thursday, Keating met with Thai police at the Phuket's Karon Police station.

Karon Police Chief Colonel Sanya Thongsawad told Phuket News on Friday that during the seven hours of questioning Keating submitted a plea of guilty.

Col Sanya said Keating told investigators a large wave surged while they were zig-zagging, causing the two jet-skis to collide.

'Accepting the charge is a good thing because the sentence will be reduced,' he said.

Ms Collie's family said they did not apportion blame to Keating for the tragedy.

'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,' they said in a statement. 

DFAT, through its Smartraveller website, warns Australian travellers of the risks of riding jet-skis in Thailand, including issues related to insurance cover.

After the accident, members of the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Police and Kata Police found six jet-ski operators working from Kata Beach were renting craft without the required insurance.

Col Sanya told local media the police had no choice but to press charges of reckless driving against Keating.

'By law in Thailand, when an incident results in the death of a person, police are required to formally press a charge,' Col Sanya said.

The Thai public prosecutor is now preparing a case expected to be presented to court within the next fortnight.

Thai media reports say Keating may face a suspended jail sentence after the guilty plea.

But under Thai law the charge could result in a jail term of up to 10 years.

On Thursday Mr Keating walked into the police station hand-in-hand with his late girlfriend's family, before pleading guilty to the charge, the ABC reported. 

'Thomas pleaded guilty,' Superintendent Sanya Thongsawad told the broadcaster.  

The young man was formally charged with careless driving, causing death. It's reported his passport has also been confiscated. 

Mr Collie's grief-stricken parents Ian and Sally Collie have told authorities no one was to blame over their daughter's death - as they prepare to bring her body home. 

In a heartbreaking statement via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Collie's parents said it was a 'tragic accident'.

'We are in the midst of grieving through the sudden loss of our precious daughter Emily,' her parents Ian and Sally Collie said.

'We do not believe anybody was at fault. In particular, we do not place any blame on Tom Keating, who we care about very much and who we know loved Emily deeply.' 

It comes after the young woman's parents pleaded they didn't want to press murder charges against their daughter's boyfriend. 

The grief-stricken boyfriend also paid tribute to his 'beautiful girl' in an emotional Facebook post.

'I love you so much Emily and I wish I could just bring you back into my arms,' Mr Keating wrote.

'I'm so broken and I know I'll never never be able to mend. 

'I'll always be your boy and you'll always be my girl! We had so many plans for our future Emmy.'

Mr Keating said Ms Collie was 'taken too soon'.

'I love you to bits baby and I promise I'll never stop and you'll always have my heart!' he wrote.

'You where such an inspiration to myself and many others! The most beautiful girl I've ever met! Inside and out!

'Fly high up there Emmy I know you'll always be looking down on me and everyone you loved.

'Rest easy Emily I'll never forget you.'

Ms Collie was pulled unconscious from the water and was treated by lifeguards on the beach before she was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

On Sunday, Mr Keating said strong sunlight reflected off the sea and made it impossible to see her jetski, leading to the crash just off Kata Beach in Phuket.

Mr Keating suffered minor injuries and broke down in tears in the ambulance.

An onlooker, Prapai Navarak, said the boyfriend was crying but there was nothing anybody could do.

'It was so sad to see. Nobody could do anything. The woman's husband was crying. I am shocked,' Mr Navarak said. 

Mr Keating's cousin, Sean Lyon Smith, said the couple had been in a relationship for about two years and had gone to Thailand on a 'dream holiday'.

Ms Collie, of Victoria, was a student at Charles Sturt University and went to Goulburn Valley Grammar School in Shepparton, according to her Facebook page.