saintofsilence

Thailand is already a great place.

Yes Thailand is a great place I agree but it has a long way to make it a greater place.

Most corruption in Thailand including jet ski scams , illegal dvds copies of clothing etc is related to the Red Shirt Movement and the only way they seem to be able to solve a problem is with force use of illegal weapons , knives guns death threats on anyone who upsets them .

The Police and Army don't go in. Hard enough because most likely a huge percentage of their members are reds.

The current government promises to take action on these mafia type wrong doers but to me it looks like a losing battle.

Solve corruption and educate these reds Thailand would be a great place and respected internationally.

I still say it's a small % compared to those who ride jetski(s) every day without an incident.

I agree the incident rate would most likely be lower but the income from incidents would out weigh the income from standard rentals, but they probably have an incident budget to meet each week and even if its one scam incident per week per operator which i doubt ,even that is far to much.

It would not surprise me and from what I have personally seen that incident income for an operator with say 6 jet ski's is probably 100000 baht a week plus.

Another example of why not to rent a jet ski in thailand :

written by James Thomas, Sun 05 Jul 2009 20:06:12 CDT

Just typed "jet ski corruption Thailand" into Google and noticed this site.

My partner and me gave up everything back in the UK to fund our 'Asian Adventure' and visited Patong Beach Phuket in our 3rd week there and got conned by the jek-ski 'creatures' (Thai humans).

We had to come back to the UK as were waiting for cleared funds, and all that we had at the time we had to give to them.

We had just booked into our cheap guesthouse and decided to go straight to the beach. I had jet-skied twice before in my life (both in the Canary Islands) and had always talked to my partner about how great the experiences were, so when we were approached by the jet-ski 'creatures' to hire a ski we were more than a little excited and tempted.

I managed to negotiate a lower rate for us both for 30 mins, and signed a contract - saying that the ski didn't have any insurance - I know that I took the risk before any smart arse points out the blinking obvious. However, this doesn't give those creatures a licence to con you and ruin/end your holiday (it ended ours).

We were not given any instructions on how to get on if we fell off, and the creatures seemed intent on getting us into the water sooner rather than later.

We were out for 5 mins when owing to us having to stop to give way to a boat that was providing a para-gliding experience, and owing to a big wave, we both fell off of the jet ski. We attempted to get back on and couldn't (waves and lack of co-ordination), so we decided to wait in the water until we were rescued.

It took the 'creature' ages to notice us and come out on their jet-ski. During this time the ski was going further out to sea, and more water was getting into the jet-ski, as we were hanging onto it at times waiting to be rescued.

My partner was getting really worried and thought that he was going to drown (even though he had a life jacket on!).

When the 'creatures' finally came out on their ski's to rescue us, well one guy did (which we were later told by a helper on the beach, that they had to off-load from their trailer - so lapse and negligent) they took us one by one (partner first!) to the beach.

We were then left on the beach not knowing what was going on. I wanted them to stop messing about and retrieve the ski so that we could go back out on it, or I was going to ask for our money back. Afterall it was them that took forever to collect us from the sea, and it was them that took so long to collect their ski, and it was them that hadn't even showed us how to get back on to the ski.

We had our life jackets taken off of us and we told to go and see the 'boss-man'.

The creatures made up some rubbish about the jet-ski being broken and that we now had to pay to repair it. We surrounded by about 10 creatures at first and were in truth a little over-whelmed. We were then joined by an Australian Immigration Volunteer man who never identified himself until later on, and was extremely keen to get involved in negotiating a repair price. We were also joined by an Australian tourist who said to get to the Thai police before the creatures did, because they are truly bent. We were also joined by another helper, another Australian tourist and his son, who said that he had owned jet-skis and that the ski that we had hired could easily be repaired there and then, or at worse could be repaired for approx £50.00.

The creatures weren't willing to listen to that of course, and just fobbed us off, of course they would we realise now - they wanted to con us.

The Australian Immigration Volunteer negotiated a rate - from 50,000 Baht (£900) to 25,000 Baht (£450). We didn't have the cleared funds so had to phone a realative in the UK to transfer money. We were held captive on the beach until we could make payment. That's a full day on the beach - our first day on the beach. Nightmare.

The funds were transferred from the UK but we couldn't withdraw their ransom all at once, so we had no option but to surrender my passport to them overnight until we could withdraw more money the next day.

During our imprisonment on the beach, I was allowed to leave whilst my partner stayed, and I walked a mile to the Tourist Police Unit. It was closed, so borrowed a mobile to ring a number on the window of the Tourist Police Unit.

I spoke with a Thai Officer and he said that the amount asked was way over the top and that 7-10,000 Baht (£140-£200) was all that was necessary. He said that I could go to the police station and ask that the amount be reduced, but that I had to be careful about getting a kicking or worse when leaving the police station.

We had initially asked for two ladies (Australian, mum and daughter - daughter a JP in Queensland, and mother moved from Australia to Thailand) to look after our bags whilst on the ski's. They were very helpful through-out the day and lent us their mobiles and bought us drinks etc. When I put this option to them (pay in full, or pay less and go to the police station and risk a beating), they advised strongly to pay in full. The mum said that we would at best get a kicking or at worse be stabbed or even shot.

This is backed up by a friend on the island that has confirmed that people have been shot for money owed - recently in Thailand.

We believe that the Thai police were in on the scam, and that even the Australian Immigration Volunteer was much more likely than not to be involved on it.

So over the two days we had to pay them what they were owed, and then return to the UK - months earlier than expected.

Thailand should be ashamed of itself - it should imprison these con-men and its bent police officers.

We have learnt lessons of course but we should not have been conned and we should have had police protection - fact.

I know that it was my risk without insurance but I was only agreeing to pay for my damage caused and not be conned.

It sounds childish - but they are mean people.

May bad luch, very bad luck, come their way!

http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in-thailand/jet-ski-scam-in-kamala-beach-phuket-2.html

Wow, I knew there were making money, but didnt know it was that much!! Wouldnt it just be best to skip the jet ski experience? Seems we are only supporting thieves by renting them. Maybe you wont be scammed, but the next guy will. If no one rents, they that will be the end of their free ride.

I think if before people signed the contract the prices for minor and major damage were shown they would have second thoughts .

http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in-thailand/jet-ski-scam-in-kamala-beach-phuket.html#jc_allComments

The post above was from this site

written by Asif, Tue 08 Jun 2010 00:32:11 CDT

I was in Pattaya last week, like the rest of those good people above decided to Hire a Jet Ski. We Hired 3 Jet skis after negotiations with the guy at the beech. It was a Friday afternoon (4th June 2010). We took the Jet Skis after checking the damage on the Skis and signed a contract which clearly stated that all damage is our responsibility, and they took our pictures on the Jet Skies and on the form they also took our Hotel details including our room numbers, which I found very odd. I am normally very careful with signing documents but on this occasion I had two Police officers with me from London, who had on a previous trip to Pattaya rented Jet Skis, and had no problems. It was around 2pm just outside the shopping center Festival Central on Pattaya Beach Road.

It was my first occasion I had ever been on a Jet Ski, we were having great fun, then the two of us decided to race to Island just opposite, approximately 2Miles more or less. As we were circling around the Island I looked behind me and the Jet Ski my friend was on broke down. We were very close to the Island and could see people on the Beach, lol as we waved to the people for help they waved backed. In the meanwhile my friend was trying to get his jet ski to work, for sum peculiar reason it would just go round in circles. As I got close to listen to what my friend had to say, the waves were very strong and we ended up crashing together, my Ski had some paint work damage and no damage occurred to my friends Ski. It was getting late and the waves were getting stronger, so we decided that I should go back and get help.

When I got to the Mainland I found 3 people waiting their who I never saw before. My other friend had already handed his Jet Ski in and no problems were found. I informed the 3 Thia guys that my friends Jet Ski had broken down, they were not really interested in that but were all hovering around my Jet Ski to assess thew Damage. One guy with a Pony tail and a donut just came over to me and said you are late you have to pay for over time and damage. I tried to explain the situation how the damage was caused by the problem we had with the first Jet Ski and it would not of occurred if the other Jet Ski did not fail, and it was your responsibility to make sure that your Jet Skis are in working order. He just did not seem interested and told me to shut up, from the tone of his voice I noticed that he meant business, in the meanwhile I was worried about my friend who was stranded and would swept out to sea. The Thai man said we would have to pay to rescue my friend (3000Bhat). We wasn't in a Position to argue so we agreed. I sent my other friend who him self is a Police man in London to the Police station. The Boat arrived and we went back to the Location I left my friend stranded I noticed that he was on the Island standing next to the Jet Ski. Before we headed back to the mainland they hovered around the Jet Ski and inspected the damage witch was bad due to the way my friend and been crashing into the rocks, anyhow as we headed back to the mainland, I got a texed from my friend who visited the Police station, that the English Volunteer Police guy informed him to keep our mouths shut and dont argue with these guys as they are some form of Mafia In Thialand.

When we got back to the Mainland we met the English Thai Police Volunteer from England and he explained how this is such a common scam and it wasn't worth arguing or worth getting into a fight. As before you know it the beach will be full of people with knives and Guns and CS gas. The Police are corrupt and they will be getting a cut out of this, the bigger the situation the more they will demand. Their is no escaping they have your Hotel numbers and pictures and in the worst situation they will even shot you in your Hotel rooms, and they can even stop you from flying out from Bangkok by getting your passport numbers from the Hotel.

Initially they demanded 120,000 Bhats which we rejected and the ETPV negotiated until they reduced the charge to 95,000 bhats, we somehow got the money together and paid.

Their is no Policing in Thailand they are all corrupt, do not expect any arbitration from them all they will do is sit their and smile and get a cut from the Mafia guys. It is best not to Hire Jet Skis or Bikes in Thialand as their is no form of Insurance and even if their was it would be worth nothing. The Thia people will always side with the Thias and they look at you as Frangs (foreigners). I see many people arguing about how foreign people do not know how to ride Jet skis etc.. that not the point, you dont expect to pay way beyond the odds for damage, and secondly no responsibility is ever taken by the Jet Ski owners for mechanical damage what so ever. Their is no Life Guard or any sort of Coast guard service on the coast at Pattaya Beach, so if you get stranded at Sea you are going to be out their a long time. Nothing is in your favor remember that, everything is a opportunity to make money fore them.

And posters that say stand up to these guys habe a look at what has happenned to otheres you will end up in hospital quick.

I did and told the scum to fk off and I walked away. Mind you this was koh larn, but same scenario. Guess what I am still here today. You give into these muppets and it gives them license to do it to the next one that comes along. Trust me - a few of them would be in the hospital next to me if they ever tried to get violent.

Well it is good if you can handle yourself but unfortunately we are all not like that , i would never rent from any of them but its unfortunste that they prey on the weak.

After one the storms last week the water was full of debris including a busted up fishing boat and people were still hiring skis.

These mafia and their white pads would be rubbing their hands together waiting for the next innocent sucker to come along.

Not 200 baht extra

Well i dont go to the beach everyday but i have seen at least 15 incidents in the past 3 months just from walking a couple of times a day on the beach road walking track and not paying to much attention.

I am surprised how many posts here basically think it doesnt occur just do some googling and remember not many of these go unreported because the operators scare the shit out of people.

i woukd suugest that the hiring fee for these jet ski is a very small part of the income , the highest comes from scamming people.

And posters that say stand up to these guys habe a look at what has happenned to otheres you will end up in hospital quick.

I have even seen people rent these skis and water has got on the electronics probably due to not being sealed off correctly and the operators were trying to get money out of them ,

There are many reports that the starting price ffor small damage can be as high as 80 thousand baht.

I have also seen them grabbing stakes and shovels ready to assault the customer and also say to the customer If you valu your life pay.

Worth checking out

http://www.personalthailand.com/wordpress/new-record-in-jet-ski-scams-in-pattaya/

And this

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2010/10/12/phuket-jet-ski-frauds-the-real-truth/

Spent a day at the beach recently and there were many people renting then in front of the area we were sitting. Didn't notice anything amiss when they were waved in after their 20 or 30 minute time (except big smiles on their faces). Have also rented them several times myself over the years without incident.

Not saying scams don't happen but I don't think as common as is often assumed.

I disagree i think it occurs very often but many cases go un reported , but do search in google thst will keep you busy for while.

This week on Pattaya beach i witnessed a group of Indians having problems with jet ski operators after they had finished hiring some jet ski's the white book was out and they were arguing over money.

I never went close enough to see what tbe problem was but any person just needs to walk along the beach a couole of times a day and you will come across the same recurring situation.

It looked like negotiations were getting no where so the police were called the officer talked to the groups and not long after he walked away from the groups and standing in amoungst some umbrellas met a guy who ihad just arrived on a motor bike I am sure he is involved in the jet ski business also because i have seen him many times around the skis.

Money was exchanged between the policeman and mr ? The policeman went back to the groups and not long after the indians were walking away and the matter had been settled.

Anyone who rents jet skis in thailand are risking losing there savings or holiday money many people are marched iff to atms and threatened .

Dont expect the police to help it would be very doubtful you would get a good outcome.

I am not saying what i saw was anything to do with the jet ski problem and the indians but i am saying it did not look good .

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//note from Admin//

for a Video released in November please follow this link:

Normaly when I book a taxi from any of the small booking agents around pattaya that display the 800 baht to bangkok price the agent asks for a deposit of 300 baht and the bance of 500 is paid to the driver.

Today i booked one near soi 2 opposite big c whovI had used on other occasions and today i was. asked for a 200 baht deposit and 600 baht to be paid to the driver.

But also i was asked if i would like to pay 200 for the tollway which i assured her i did not and i would pay the tollway fo the driver which was 65 baht.

Anyone else came across this change lately?

It looks like the agents are taking a cut and trying to make it up other ways.

Rip Philip condolences to wife and children

I upgraded from 3gs to 4 much better phone , longer battery life good camera worth doing

if you have a Mac this is an excellent programme ,http://ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/

Also I have found that after doing an update to the latest version usually speeds the phone up.

Thanks for the advice men i tried it today in and all went ok

I have found a shop with itunes on it so does that pc save all my applications and will i need to de authorize it after finished

My iphone 4 needs updating from ver 4.02 to ver 4.1 but i currently dont have a pc , can i updare this in ah internet shop without losing my applications on the phone.

Error

Thanks i will try photobucket