City Hall gets tough on Jet Ski Operators after recent accident which claimed a life.

An emergency meeting now from Pattaya City Hall, chaired by Khun Ronagit, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya who was joined by senior officers from Pattaya Police Station and the Marine Police Division. Delegates included every Jet Ski operator here in Pattaya.

Discussions centered on recent accidents involving Jet Ski’s and how the operators can help to prevent future accidents. They were told that the life of Tourists and others who use the waters off of Pattaya are in their hands and in no circumstances should Jet Ski’s be rented to anyone suspected of being intoxicated or adjudged to be incapable of controlling these high power machines.

The machines must also be regularly serviced to ensure that mechanical failure will not contribute to accidents. The operators must also inform customers on where they can and cannot use the machines and how to conduct themselves when confronted by approaching boats or other sea vessels.

-Pattaya City News

Tuesday 23rd January 2007

Perhaps some discussion over how to prevent the Thai jetski owners from scamming their foreign customers into paying for damages they weren't responsible for would be a good idea too.

And the consequences for the operators if they are found to be disregarding the 'guidelines'?

And the consequences for the operators if they are found to be disregarding the 'guidelines'?

Nobody will bother checking if they are following the guidelines or not.

..............and another serious accident occurs?

They'll all be hauled up to city hall and told "that the life of Tourists and others who use the waters off of Pattaya are in their hands blah blah blah..........."

What's that Bhuddist phrase "change is the only constant in life"? Doesn't apply to jet ski operators, song taew/tuk tuk drivers etc etc etc.