Jet Ski Scam Pattaya When Will It Stop

[ChangFai]

I was well aware of this scam when I first arrived in 1988.

So, no way did it stop during the Thaksin years.

But because there has been a flood of new gullible tourists from Russia, India etc. , this scam has grown, and is much better reported due to the internet.

This is NOT a new scam.

Edited April 21, 2012 by ChangFai

[marinediscoking]

I was well aware of this scam when I first arrived in 1988.

So, no way did it stop during the Thaksin years.

But because there has been a flood of new gullible tourists from Russia, India etc. , this scam has grown, and is much better reported due to the internet.

This is NOT a new scam.

What was thier MO for the scam back then? Where their fights then too? Was it happening daily?

[toenail]

Sad that the city officials are powerless. Let's face it, the mafia and police have more power than the city council and mayor. (They can't even control the number of vendors on the beach.) The city officials are good at setting up music-cultural events for tourists and placing new Dolphin street lights in the city. The cannot stop the jet ski cronies. True, Pattaya is not up to international standards due to lack of power the city has to stop anything that is connected to the mafia... How many pages (26 so far) on this forum, TV and newspaper articles does it take to stop this in a "normal" city around the world? (not this many)

[kevkev1888]

Sad that the city officials are powerless. Let's face it, the mafia and police have more power than the city council and mayor. (They can't even control the number of vendors on the beach.) The city officials are good at setting up music-cultural events for tourists and placing new Dolphin street lights in the city. The cannot stop the jet ski cronies. True, Pattaya is not up to international standards due to lack of power the city has to stop anything that is connected to the mafia... How many pages (26 so far) on this forum, TV and newspaper articles does it take to stop this in a "normal" city around the world? (not this many)

26 pages on this thread and probably 100's in total on the numerous previous closed threads.

Feb 2006 http://www.thaivisa....ge__hl__jet ski

Edited April 22, 2012 by Rimmer

[PoodMaiDai]

Sad that the city officials are powerless. Let's face it, the mafia and police have more power than the city council and mayor. (They can't even control the number of vendors on the beach.) The city officials are good at setting up music-cultural events for tourists and placing new Dolphin street lights in the city. The cannot stop the jet ski cronies. True, Pattaya is not up to international standards due to lack of power the city has to stop anything that is connected to the mafia... How many pages (26 so far) on this forum, TV and newspaper articles does it take to stop this in a "normal" city around the world? (not this many)

Ever stop to wonder why they can't stop it?

They are getting filthy rich from it. "They" being those who have the power to stop it. That is how Thailand works. That scam, such a large operation, causing all the problems, wouldn't exist another day if the proper people were not getting cashed out. That is Thai business 101.

Prostitution is illegal. How do you think the bars and brothels stay open? Cash. How do you think those little tables stay in business selling illegal weapons on the side of the road and porn DVDs? Cash. Bootleg clothes and items? Cash. Clubs open later than is allowed? Cash. And what happens when that cash stops? There is a "crackdown" and they are made an example of.

The right people at the top and all along the food chain are paid. This is the Thai way. It will never, ever change. At best one scam will be replaced by another.

[KeyserSoze01]

It's about time someone sent a link to this thread to someone in investigative media, such as 60 Minutes in the US. A segment with a title of "Thai government complicit in multi-million dollar scam of foreign tourists" would surely be karma.

[Rimmer]

Two young Pattaya Jet Ski operators arrested following recent assault on two Macau students

Story HERE

[KeyserSoze01]

Seems the word is making it into national media, finally.

Here is a story in the Banglaore Mirror about the jet skis scams in Phuket and Pattaya.

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/1/2012042120120421012208375a5ad0783/%E2%80%98Jet-ski-at-your-own-peril-in-Phuket-and-Pattaya%E2%80%99.html

[Rimmer]

Off topic post removed

[PoodMaiDai]

Two young Pattaya Jet Ski operators arrested following recent assault on two Macau students

Story HERE

They paid their 500b and are back out doing what they do best.

[rafval]

its not off topic at all, the point is that the police are corrupt, they collect money through scams, they arent going to stop one of their scams because a few farang post on the internet, this scam is profitable and until such a time as the police change their ways or the scam stops being profitable this scam will continue

this is Thailand, do as the Thais do and smile and give them the money and say thank you, if you dont like it go to the root of the problem or move to another country where they have a different idea of justice and law

Edited April 24, 2012 by rafval

[toenail]

its not off topic at all, the point is that the police are corrupt, they collect money through scams, they arent going to stop one of their scams because a few farang post on the internet, this scam is profitable and until such a time as the police change their ways or the scam stops being profitable this scam will continue

this is Thailand, do as the Thais do and smile and give them the money and say thank you, if you dont like it go to the root of the problem or move to another country where they have a different idea of justice and law

So true, just smile and accept the corruption. We have it in all of our countries but it isn't "in our face" --more "hidden" with the big corporations, CEO's of banks, and elected government officials (some).

[striderman]

arrived at swampy last night.

as a by the way completed immigration collected bags and met my driver in 35 mins from touchdown.

so today was my first day in town. quite windy and rain expected when i had a walk down the coconut bar about 17 45.

not much happening except 1 large group debating near a group of beached jet ski's.

location?

opposite the royal garden plaza entrance of course.

i wasn't 100 % sure at first but if it looks like a duck and quacks it's going to be a duck.

sure enough after a few minutes 2 of the party returned to the ski's for a bit of pointing.

it's like i have never been away

[striderman]

another day in pattaya's answer to punxsutawney.

big group of indians getting a kebabing just to the right of the steps in front mikes shopping mall about 17 25 .

on the first pass i was not certain but 20 mins later they were still at it and this time i could see the dreaded signed jet ski rental form.

in Pennsylvania it's called groundhog day in pattaya it's same same

[soihok]

There is no end to it......shameless.

[johnlexo]

Just back from the beach. Opp. Mike Shopping / The Hub of Jet-Ski Scams 2 young Indians getting ripped off right now. One of the guys was made to stop a few meters out in still deeper water. One of the Thai crooks went in the water, swam around the jet-ski and banged on the side and pulled on the rubber seals.

Both skies then were brought up on the sand and immediately very aggressive demands were made. I had watched the 2 Indians having fun and they never even came close to touching/bumping their jets on the water.

Then walked towards TQ1 and already another one in progress with 3 Indians.

What a shame...

[toenail]

What would happen if Thais and expats met there on a certain day and time with "protest signs" with the media informed protesting the corruptness of these bozos? Would the masses be able to over power the 3-4 crooks on the beach or would a Isaan temper of the jet ski mafia ignite?

[maidu]

What would happen if Thais and expats met there on a certain day and time with "protest signs" with the media informed protesting the corruptness of these bozos? Would the masses be able to over power the 3-4 crooks on the beach or would a Isaan temper of the jet ski mafia ignite?

Probably wouldn't work. The older farang, particularly in Pattaya, are fixated on avoiding anything that might devolve to confrontation. Nearly all the folks who have been ripped off, have left Thailand. But the main reason it wouldn't work is the jet ski extortionists would bully those who opposed them, as they have consistently since the problem started. Local cops would probably jump in and squelch any demonstration, with force if necessary (where are they when you need them to assist?). The cops know who butters their bread.

I'd be the first to praise any peaceful demonstration against the extortionists. They should be thrown in prison for 5 to 10 years. Too bad I'm in northernmost thailand.

[salty]

And of course it might show disrespect to these scum.

[pauljones]

Why are journalists not able to follow up and ask the mayor and police chief some serious questions I wonder?

[Awohalitsiktoli]

This would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist...........who? On another point, I just saw an advertisement on TV for "Amazing Thailand" or "Remarkable Thailand"..........something like that, showing images of Thailand..........to attract tourism.........and in one shot they show a person having "fun" on a jet ski. Now that is Amazing/Remarkable and totally STUPID.

[Exsexyman]

This would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist...........who? On another point, I just saw an advertisement on TV for "Amazing Thailand" or "Remarkable Thailand"..........something like that, showing images of Thailand..........to attract tourism.........and in one shot they show a person having "fun" on a jet ski. Now that is Amazing/Remarkable and totally STUPID.

It would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist with a death wish! Andrew Drummond has the cojones to do it, but i think he's got enough on his plate at the moment exposing Pattaya lowlifes, as a visit to his website will confirm!

[Markland]

one day some foreigner will get ripped off and go back onto the beach the following day with a gun

and shoot them..if there any foreigners out there thinking about committing suicide from one of those high rise buildings why don't you go out with a bang

impossible that i would commt suicide but if i did i would take out some scumbags with me

Edited May 20, 2012 by Markland

[necronx99]

This would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist...........who? On another point, I just saw an advertisement on TV for "Amazing Thailand" or "Remarkable Thailand"..........something like that, showing images of Thailand..........to attract tourism.........and in one shot they show a person having "fun" on a jet ski. Now that is Amazing/Remarkable and totally STUPID.

It would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist with a death wish! Andrew Drummond has the cojones to do it, but i think he's got enough on his plate at the moment exposing Pattaya lowlifes, as a visit to his website will confirm!

Always wondered about him.

Is he even in thailand?

[KeyserSoze01]

This would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist...........who? On another point, I just saw an advertisement on TV for "Amazing Thailand" or "Remarkable Thailand"..........something like that, showing images of Thailand..........to attract tourism.........and in one shot they show a person having "fun" on a jet ski. Now that is Amazing/Remarkable and totally STUPID.

It would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist with a death wish! Andrew Drummond has the cojones to do it, but i think he's got enough on his plate at the moment exposing Pattaya lowlifes, as a visit to his website will confirm!

He could always use a pen name. Just sayin'.

The problem is, who would publish the article? If someone did have the balls to publish it, then as we all know, the mayor will create a commission to study the problem and will report back, well, never. TiT after all.

[maidu]

This would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist...........who? On another point, I just saw an advertisement on TV for "Amazing Thailand" or "Remarkable Thailand"..........something like that, showing images of Thailand..........to attract tourism.........and in one shot they show a person having "fun" on a jet ski. Now that is Amazing/Remarkable and totally STUPID.

You beat me to it. I saw the same ad on a BBC break. I was aghast. They showed a panorama of Thailand photos, and there it was: jet skis !! That spot will be shown in India and Pakistan also, ......so it may serve to suck in more victims from those countries, as they seem to currently be the choicest targets.

[Exsexyman]

This would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist...........who? On another point, I just saw an advertisement on TV for "Amazing Thailand" or "Remarkable Thailand"..........something like that, showing images of Thailand..........to attract tourism.........and in one shot they show a person having "fun" on a jet ski. Now that is Amazing/Remarkable and totally STUPID.

It would be an excellent topic for an investigative journalist with a death wish! Andrew Drummond has the cojones to do it, but i think he's got enough on his plate at the moment exposing Pattaya lowlifes, as a visit to his website will confirm!

He could always use a pen name. Just sayin'.

The problem is, who would publish the article? If someone did have the balls to publish it, then as we all know, the mayor will create a commission to study the problem and will report back, well, never. TiT after all.

I think you will find that the Mayor would do a bit more than create a commission if any journalist tried to expose this ongoing scam that has been raking in millions of baht on a monthly basis for the best part of 2 years. I suggest you do a bit of research about his background! He is up for re- election at the moment, will be a shoo in,pretty much a job for life. At the last election, 'things happened' to anyone of substance, and their supporters who stood against him. The media in Pattaya are in his pocket, again check out Andrew Drummond's website. He has got balls, i will give him that, he was recently informed that there is a 2 million baht contract out on him. Don't be fooled by the sycophantic coverage the powers that be receive on the local media outlets that laughingly masquerades as "News"! BTW it will be interesting to see how long this post remains on here before it is removed!

[Markland]

yeah good luck to whatever brave thai journalist would take this on

didn't the majors father had a journalist killed some years back and he was sentenced but they have never been able to find him ,i guessing he still controls chon buri

[Ohio]

IMHO I doubt that a process generating millions of Baht annually will be eradicated, particularly when the Overseers of the Scams are sharing the spoils with the Organisations that are supposed to stop it.

High profile arrests of unconnected Teens will not fool too many people I hope.

Just appeared on Oz TV that a Female (Pauline Hanson) was able to purchase a complete set of Photo IDs in Bangkok in the name of Julia Gillard. Glad she didn't hire a Jetski in Pattaya it would have cost more.

[pauljones]

From the Bangalore Mirror Newspaper:

"Come to Thailand at your own peril my Indian brothers and sisters. It is dangerous and the Thai people target Indians for scams and to assault them. The Pattaya jet ski scam is controlled by the local mafia, the police, and the city government officials. That is why no one helps you. They are all getting rich. Like I said before, they are targeting YOU. Avoid Thailand. Go someplace where you are welcome and safe."