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Marine officials in Pattaya have implemented new regulations requiring all rental jet skis to carry group insurance. This measure is part of a crackdown by authorities to enforce safety standards, warning operators of substantial penalties for non-compliance. The intention is to enhance safety and boost tourist confidence in Pattaya's watersports sector.

 

The announcement was made at a meeting chaired by Wanchat Wannaphrahm, Senior District Chief of Bang Lamung. Key figures like Jarin Butrwong, Director of the Pattaya Regional Harbormaster Office, and local police participated. The meeting aimed to finalize enforcement procedures aligning with the 2016 Ministry of Transport Regulation for limited maritime vessels.

 

Clause 5 of this regulation mandates thorough insurance coverage. It includes compensation for death, loss of limb, or permanent disability, and covers medical treatment costs and jet ski damage. These rules impact renters and third parties involved in any incidents, ensuring broad protection.

 

Pattaya currently has 490 registered rental jet skis, all required to secure the necessary insurance swiftly. Penalties for non-compliance are severe: first-time violators face fines up to 10,000 baht and must provide proof of insurance renewal. Repeat offenders face additional fines, vessel registration seizure, and potential permanent operational bans.

 

Jarin Butrwong emphasized the significance of these regulations, stating, “Tourist confidence in Pattaya’s water sports depends on ironclad safety standards.” He warned that uninsured jet skis would be grounded and operators penalized promptly.

 

Jet ski businesses are instructed to submit valid insurance proofs to the Harbormaster Office soon. Officers will start random inspections to ensure adherence. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns about safety and accountability in the watersports industry, long plagued by scams and accidents.

 

Authorities aim for this crackdown to improve safety, enhance tourist confidence, and reform the industry before the High Season, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• New rules mandate group insurance for all jet ski rentals in Pattaya.
• Violations can result in hefty fines, registration loss, or operational bans.
• The move seeks to enhance safety and tourist confidence in watersports.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-13

 

 

i imagine many will just risk having no insurance if the penalty is only 10k baht

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

i imagine many will just risk having no insurance if the penalty is only 10k baht

 

When they "enforce" the rule, I wonder if they'll send the same cop that I've seen in half a dozen jet ski scam videos who appears to be in on the scams?   

 

It's been a while, so maybe they've had some turnover.  They really needed to clean that up.

 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Pattaya currently has 490 registered rental jet skis, all required to secure the necessary insurance swiftly

About time. 

 

 

Those of us who remember the Phuket jetski insurance BS from 15+ years ago will dismiss this as a farce.  The authorities make a big announcement and say how it will solve the problems etc. They make a show of enforcement for a few weeks and then, poof, it dies.

The only solution to the jetski problem is to restrict the numbers of jetskis, require the operations to be licensed with   the owners identified, and that all jetskis are to be inspected regularly with pre-existing physical damage documented. The insurance is just a smokescreen to  allow one of Thailand's worst tourist scam ripoffs to continue.

7 hours ago, impulse said:

 

When they "enforce" the rule, I wonder if they'll send the same cop that I've seen in half a dozen jet ski scam videos who appears to be in on the scams?   

 

It's been a while, so maybe they've had some turnover.  They really needed to clean that up.

 

That's the fat cop? i used to watch that script being acted out on Pattaya beach about 4pm every day

"...new regulations requiring all rental jet skis to carry group insurance."

so insurance wasn't required before??? That is outrageous and expected....

The hope that will lead to safer operation seems a pipe dream. Requiring insurance hasn't made a difference in driving safely arena.... 

I sure many operators will continue the, "You've damaged the jet ski," scam.

You can't believe the stupid at some point anymore. They come up with a insurance mandate after operators scammed tourists with fake accidents for decades? Like seriously, you can't make this up LOL. The news here would be considered satire in the west if you published it.

When I helped at the Pattaya police station (Police volunteers) a main complaint was jet skis.

People would rent and when they bought them back charge outrageous money for BS damage.

One Falang family who this happened to said they reported it to the police, but police said report it to city hall, city hall said go back to the police and eventually they came to us.

The jet ski operator had photos of before and after showing the after damage.

The family had few options, they could stuff up their holiday and hire a lawyer, but then they would have to attend court sometime in the future or try and settle the scam for as little money as possible.

So we got the money down from about B100000 to B10000.

The family were most unhappy.

Might have changed now, if the police and city hall wouldn't help what could people do?

Never hire a jet ski in Pattaya.

 

 

19 hours ago, Emdog said:

"...new regulations requiring all rental jet skis to carry group insurance."

so insurance wasn't required before??? That is outrageous and expected....

The hope that will lead to safer operation seems a pipe dream. Requiring insurance hasn't made a difference in driving safely arena.... 

No. If one could be bothered to read the contract they were signing it said you were liable for all damages. 

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

No. If one could be bothered to read the contract they were signing it said you were liable for all damages. 

Yes and as people told me, they were on the jetski ready to go and someone shoved a paper and pen in front of them and said sign here.

So they just signed and drove off.

Never knew what they signed.

On 11/15/2025 at 12:09 PM, carlyai said:

When I helped at the Pattaya police station (Police volunteers) a main complaint was jet skis.

People would rent and when they bought them back charge outrageous money for BS damage.

One Falang family who this happened to said they reported it to the police, but police said report it to city hall, city hall said go back to the police and eventually they came to us.

The jet ski operator had photos of before and after showing the after damage.

The family had few options, they could stuff up their holiday and hire a lawyer, but then they would have to attend court sometime in the future or try and settle the scam for as little money as possible.

So we got the money down from about B100000 to B10000.

The family were most unhappy.

Might have changed now, if the police and city hall wouldn't help what could people do?

Never hire a jet ski in Pattaya.

 

 

Are the jet ski scams still happening in Pattaya? I've seen people rent them all the time recently but never see the extortion happen like the old days. Never seen the operators say the person has damaged the jetski, gang up on them and ask for money.

This jetski scam has to be the oldest in the book, other than maybe a hooker going through your wallet whilst you have a shower... amazing that people still put themselves at risk on this one and still go rent a jetski.

The fine needs to be way higher to make a difference, but it all boils down to enforcement... or more likely the lack thereof.