I have friends coming and they really can't be talked out of renting a Jet Ski. What is the latest and how can one avoid getting ripped off? Thanks, Thai-Visa Forum Members ( a powerful force of information and knowledge)

Let's move this over to the Phuket forum. Maybe you could show them that BBC series on Thailand? Here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xalV1TaFKLg

Also, google jet ski scam thailand...quite educational. It's a really big problem here in Pattaya.

Hi monkey,

OK, the latest information is……………………………………..Don't bother,really it could be a holiday to remember, for all the wrong reasons. You'll be safer gong to the cobra petting zoo and it will be cheaper to marry a bar girl on their first night in town. Have a good one!

I'll say it first. Your friends are idiots. Anyone that stands up and says, "I read about and heard about this scam but I am such a mental cripple, that I can't resist renting a jet ski," deserves whatever happens. I don't like saying that, but why would they even want to take a chance or even support these cockroaches. That is pure idiocy.

If I were you, I would just tell them good luck and not expend any energy in trying to help them beat the house in this gamble.

TheWalkingMan

I know here in Pattaya, there are some places you can rent without the hassles. The main problem is one vendor there in the central beach area.

I rented one in Jomtien with no problems. And there are some locations south of there that are really good.

Maybe they could hit a beach other than Patong? Any recommendations?

Don't rent any jetski's in Patong. On other beaches the chances of being scammed are much slimmer.

>>avoid getting ripped off?

The easiest way to avoid getting ripped off would be to not rent. If your genius thrill seeking friends insist on renting, have them go together in a group and take numerous amounts of photos so every square cm of the hull can be captured, so if there is a claim, they will have the photographic evidence to show. Also be aware that often times prior accidents have been covered up and bouncing around in the waves can cause this band-aid/plaster to come off giving them nice visual evidence of an "accident". I still stand by my first sentence however.

Dont

katabeach

take photos of jet skis from every angle. have plenty of witnesses

katabeach

take photos of jet skis from every angle. have plenty of witnesses

Might work out if jet ski guy claims damage, but no guarantee that police will accept your photo evidence. I side with the don't bother renting advice.

Might work out if jet ski guy claims damage, but no guarantee that police will accept your photo evidence. I side with the don't bother renting advice.

So do I, but if they can't be talked out of it: any other beach but Patong, make photos and have witnesses.

Might work out if jet ski guy claims damage, but no guarantee that police will accept your photo evidence. I side with the don't bother renting advice.

So do I, but if they can't be talked out of it: any other beach but Patong, make photos and have witnesses.

My kids (20,23 and 25) rent jet skis every time they are here at kata beach, never a problem

katabeach

take photos of jet skis from every angle. have plenty of witnesses

Might work out if jet ski guy claims damage, but no guarantee that police will accept your photo evidence. I side with the don't bother renting advice.

Don't these scumbags ride the "damaged" jetski up on the beach, to inspect for any damage to the jetski below the waterline, though?

So, even if the rentee wades out to the jetski in the water, they wont see/photo any of whats claimed later as "their fault"

Penkoprod

Edited June 29, 201115 yr by Penkoprod

My kids (20,23 and 25) rent jet skis every time they are here at kata beach, never a problem

Yes, Kata should be fine.

Don't these scumbags ride the "damaged" jetski up on the beach, to inspect for any damage to the jetski below the waterline, though?

So, even if the rentee wades out to the jetski in the water, they wont see/photo any of whats claimed later as "their fault"

Penkoprod

The trick is to ask to see the jet ski out of the water. For sure they will show you an undamaged unit, if any visual damage at all don't accept it. If you must rent a jet ski insist on an undamaged one.

My kids (20,23 and 25) rent jet skis every time they are here at kata beach, never a problem

Yes, Kata should be fine.

Luck of the draw. Depends on how desperate the rentor is for money. Pardon my cynicism, been here a long time.

If ur in Phuket head over to Kamala or Laguna area ( where it is more controlled by the hotels) you will pay more but u wont be ripped off.

to ensure u wont be,

have them pull it out of the water and take photos of all sides /including the bottom

Make sure u understand the amount of time u will rent it for and how much it costs /MINUTE over the time

Edited June 29, 201115 yr by phuketrichard

why not just say to the owner, I will give you 20,000 Baht if you let me have the jet ski for 3 hours, am sure he would be happy with that.

Monkey all you can do is advise them. I assume there are over 21 and so the consequences thereafter are theirs. If they won't listen then you did your bit.

I would not touch a jet ski in Patong if it was for free. I haven't a clue about other beaches on Phuket but seems they are fine....so head your pals in that direction??

Good luck to them (friends)...they will need all of it.

why not just say to the owner, I will give you 20,000 Baht if you let me have the jet ski for 3 hours, am sure he would be happy with that.

Good one! Pay up front and get the inevitable hassle out of the way. At least you know you can stroll up the beach afterwards for a quiet beer or two!!

why not just say to the owner, I will give you 20,000 Baht if you let me have the jet ski for 3 hours, am sure he would be happy with that.

Good one! Pay up front and get the inevitable hassle out of the way. At least you know you can stroll up the beach afterwards for a quiet beer or two!!

And if you have an accident?? you think he will let you walk????

be sure to post the story after the incident

sub-let off a falang

It does not matter how many warnings you put out there about Jet- ski's, people come here leaving there brains at home, they are on holiday and doing things on the beach is a must thing to do, what is it we say here, up to them!!!!

Main rip offs as you would expect are Phuket and Pattaya.

Here is the low down as told to me by a mate who two years ago got stung.

You have to sign a damage agreement which basically is you damage you pay.

The ripoff operators will have the jet ski in the water ready to go.

Get them to pull it out and take photos of everything I mean everything. Preferably if you are in a group witness your signatures on each separate contract only after noting all and I mean ALL defects and then sign the contract . Also make note that full photographs prior to use signature have been taken that delineate all conditions or marks/ scratches as noted..

Digital is great digital with time stamp better.

If the operators know you are up on them and have noted everything and I mean everything from the frayed rubber on the throttle to the slight black mark on the engine cowling then you should be right as long as you don't cause any damage.

Of course if you do its a civil not criminal matter and if brave enough to stand down the intimidation just tell them to get a quote and contact a lawyer.

Main rip offs as you would expect are Phuket and Pattaya.

Here is the low down as told to me by a mate who two years ago got stung.

You have to sign a damage agreement which basically is you damage you pay.

The ripoff operators will have the jet ski in the water ready to go.

Get them to pull it out and take photos of everything I mean everything. Preferably if you are in a group witness your signatures on each separate contract only after noting all and I mean ALL defects and then sign the contract . Also make note that full photographs prior to use signature have been taken that delineate all conditions or marks/ scratches as noted..

Digital is great digital with time stamp better.

If the operators know you are up on them and have noted everything and I mean everything from the frayed rubber on the throttle to the slight black mark on the engine cowling then you should be right as long as you don't cause any damage.

Of course if you do its a civil not criminal matter and if brave enough to stand down the intimidation just tell them to get a quote and contact a lawyer.

IF YOU DON'T RENT A JET SKI YOU WON'T HAVE TO stand there taking many pictures etc, by this time the operator will be totally pissed off and do everything possible to make you pay some how!!!

I have a mate who is half dutch and half thai, he works down on patong beach...his name is JJ, tell your mates to go see him. Just leave him your passport and he also takes all major credit cards (just leave them with him along with your hotel room key and wallet) he also arranges a great tuk tuk service complete with a full week long tour of all the great shops of Phuket, gems, suits and latex outlets......be sure to drop my name

I have a mate who is half dutch and half thai, he works down on patong beach...his name is JJ, tell your mates to go see him. Just leave him your passport and he also takes all major credit cards (just leave them with him along with your hotel room key and wallet) he also arranges a great tuk tuk service complete with a full week long tour of all the great shops of Phuket, gems, suits and latex outlets......be sure to drop my name

:lol:

Of course if you do its a civil not criminal matter and if brave enough to stand down the intimidation just tell them to get a quote and contact a lawyer.

Let's see how brave you are when sitting in the Patong (communal) police cell. Oh ... after treatment at Patong Hospital emergency ward. Luckily it's located on the way to the police station.

Of course if you do its a civil not criminal matter and if brave enough to stand down the intimidation just tell them to get a quote and contact a lawyer.

Let's see how brave you are when sitting in the Patong (communal) police cell. Oh ... after treatment at Patong Hospital emergency ward. Luckily it's located on the way to the police station.

monty1412, a civil matter like damaging a jetski or motocy, makes you stay in police holding cell until solved. Hope you have someone to bring you drinking water and food