Phuket Governor Relaxes Jet-ski Ban

[george]

Governor relaxes jet-ski ban

PHUKET CITY: -- Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit has backed down from the province’s policy to gradually phase out jet-skis at Phuket beaches and is now allowing owners of registered jet-skis to replace old or inoperable vessels with new ones.

Karon Municipality filed a complaint with the Governor following the arrest of 36 people found to be operating unregistered jet-skis in Karon in early February.

In March 2004, former Governor Pongpayome Vasaputi ordered a ban on new jet-ski registrations, hoping that as existing jet-skis aged and became inoperable, their numbers would gradually be reduced, with a complete ban going into effect in March 2011.

There were 219 registered jet-skis at the time the ban went into effect, all at Patong, Karon, Kamala and Bang Tao beaches.

However, in a meeting with related government agencies at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday afternoon, Governor Niran agreed to allow owners of registered jet-skis to replace their old or broken machines with new ones.

The order directly contradicts the intent of the 2004 order by K. Pongpayome, now Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.

At yesterday’s meeting, representative of the the Marine Police and several local administrative bodies agreed that:

- The total ban on jet-skis would still go into effect March 4, 2011;

- Jet-skis must comply with all regulations imposed by local administration organizations; and

- The Marine Department will accept no new jet-ski registrations apart from those made in replacement of registered boats being decommissioned.

--TNA 2007-02-27

[Mid]

this country has more in common with France than most realize .................................

[hkt83100]

Governor relaxes jet-ski ban

So, how many deadly accidents more will we need?

[baabaabobo]

Sorry George I put this on the Phuket forum today without realising you put it here... You can delete.

[Chantal]

Unbelievable!

Only 2 days ago 1 of our Diving Instructors and her student were nearly run over by 2 jetski's racing in the swimming area on the southern end of Karon beach. These jet skiers actually went directly over their heads!

[britmaveric]

Good News

[peterjackson]

Hey

If the Governor was employed by the Ministry responsible for Cars, would he ban Cars, if they where driven recklessly and killed people ?

Banning Jet-Skis is not the answer. Operational Proficiency, Licensing and Education are the key.

I totally agree that a Jet-Ski operated by an irresponsible rider, can be a deadly machine, not just to thers, but also the rider/passengers.

This is just plain knee jerk reactionism.

Regards

Peter

[britmaveric]

Unbelievable!

Only 2 days ago 1 of our Diving Instructors and her student were nearly run over by 2 jetski's racing in the swimming area on the southern end of Karon beach. These jet skiers actually went directly over their heads!

Chantal - that is worrisome, so the jet ski(s) went through a marked dive zone?

[khall64au]

Isn't it about time that safety is taken seriously on Thailand's beaches *(and other areas frequented by tourists)?

After all, the beaches lure a majority of the millions of tourists - who bring a majority of Thailand's wealth - with them each year.

It's a getting a real joke - esp. since the tsunami (and the half-hearted attempts since) - Thailand has a moral obligation to protect tourists and citizens against avoidable mishaps, accidents and crimes.

Wake up Thailand!

* Does Thailand have an accredited surf life saving association or equivalent, or attempting to form one?

[Chantal]

Unbelievable!

Only 2 days ago 1 of our Diving Instructors and her student were nearly run over by 2 jetski's racing in the swimming area on the southern end of Karon beach. These jet skiers actually went directly over their heads!

Chantal - that is worrisome, so the jet ski(s) went through a marked dive zone?

Brit - yes very worrysome. I hate to think what could have happened.

They went through the cordoned off swimming area on the southern end of Karon beach where the swimmers, divers and snorkellers are. They also narrowly missed a snorkeller. This happens on a daily basis with the jet skiers. One of the main reasons we do not use a divers buoy is because most of these reckless drivers like to use it as a reference meeting point.

[britmaveric]

Yes - that is horrid. I love jet-ski(s), but they should be nowhere near swimmers. I can't believe anyone with any common sense riding them, would do such a thing. Pretty bloody wreckless!!!

[astral]

Shame on him.