Jet Ski Scam Pattaya When Will It Stop

[pauljones]

• 
  COMMENTS FROM TRAVEL FORUMS:
  " The info is all over the internet, most families are horrified when they get to Pattaya and their children are exposed to the filth and ungodly amount of prostitutes there. But nice try at a spin to save Pattaya's image, as if it had a positive one to begin with. Many travel agents have stopped promoting Pattaya as a family destination. Go visit the travel agent community sites and see for yourself."
  "Don't rent Jet Skis in Pattaya. Don't even go near a place renting jet skis with your camera, even if you are taking photos of the beach. The locals have been attacking tourists and beating them for being around their scam operation with a camera. The police and the highest ranking city officials are involved with this scam. Pattaya mayor's father is the largest crime boss in all of Thailand who is wanted for murder and is currently "on the run." Pattaya is a mafia controlled city. Beware.tasty thailand is correct about the food and the shopping but the beach in pattaya is nothing special and renting a jet ski can cost you as much as the airfare to Thailand when you get scammed."
  Reply
  

Edited May 21, 2012 by pauljones

[toenail]

As I was walking along the Beach Road promenade, an Indian family was being followed by the jet ski touts to rent their jet ski. I think this nationlity, new to traveling abroad , are prime targets for the jet ski mafia.

[pauljones]

Fearful blogger confronts Pattaya Mayor over the jet ski fraud.

http://www.travelwir...-investigation/

PATTAYA MAYOR March 2011:

"I have warned all the jet ski operators myself that i am on their trail."

"I met with the police and asked them to move quickly on the vdo evidence."

"You may have reservations about the police but there are some good ones and i know who they are."

"Today i have had a meeting with Pattaya Police and discussed the vdos concerning the Jet ski."

"More to come next week as we have more investigations and implement our plan for keeping police out of any negotiations"

Edited May 21, 2012 by pauljones

[Payboy]

As I was walking along the Beach Road promenade, an Indian family was being followed by the jet ski touts to rent their jet ski. I think this nationlity, new to traveling abroad , are prime targets for the jet ski mafia.

And in the event of a serious incident they would receive near zero assistance from their embassy. A fact well known to the mafia.

Edited May 22, 2012 by Payboy

[striderman]

seek and ye shall find.

after a couple of days of blanks due to unlucky timing, i spy a group of indians departing avec ski's at 17 25 from opposite pattaya city walk.

oh dear, not a good time.

as it was scorchio still and not wanting to hang about i tooled off to watch for their return with 3 beers at the pattaya beer garden.

sure enough as i watch i can scope with zoom at maximum some waterside activity on their return.

i walk back to take a couple of innocent sunset snaps and get a couple of the incident into the bargain.

left them to it in the gathering gloom at 18 35

Edited May 22, 2012 by striderman

[soihok]

Just seen the TAT tv ad here in Singapore, showing the fun on jetski's to be had.

Disgusting.

[surangw]

Just seen the TAT tv ad here in Singapore, showing the fun on jetski's to be had.

Disgusting.

I wonder if the jet ski people pay part of these ads?

[surangw]

Interesting ?

a search on youtube using the terms pattays and scam gets lots of hits, but most of them are deleted.

[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.

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!

I guess I should have used the sarcasm emoticon as my tongue was firmly planted in my cheek when I made that comment.

I am well aware of the mayor's family connections and why the jet ski scam will never be shut down. That is not until something happens, such as someone getting killed, to bring the wrath of the BKK elite down on the Chonburi mafia to clean up their act. Just another day at the office in the good ole LOS.

[striderman]

Interesting ?

a search on youtube using the terms pattays and scam gets lots of hits, but most of them are deleted.

just put jet ski scams in and u only get as far as sc and up it comes

[maidu]

Fearful blogger confronts Pattaya Mayor over the jet ski fraud.

http://www.travelwir...-investigation/

PATTAYA MAYOR March 2011:

"I have warned all the jet ski operators myself that i am on their trail."

"I met with the police and asked them to move quickly on the vdo evidence."

"You may have reservations about the police but there are some good ones and i know who they are."

"Today i have had a meeting with Pattaya Police and discussed the vdos concerning the Jet ski."

"More to come next week as we have more investigations and implement our plan for keeping police out of any negotiations"

are the quotes above from the mayor himself?

If so, not surprising. The blurbs are hot air mixed with procrastinating. If they put me in the Mayor's seat for one day, those jet ski extortionists would be frog marched to jail, to await trial for extortion, and threatening bodily harm, and brandishing deadly weapons. Furthermore, jetski rentals would be past history, 100%.

[striderman]

[

If so, not surprising. The blurbs are hot air mixed with procrastinating. If they put me in the Mayor's seat for one day, those jet ski extortionists would be frog marched to jail, to await trial for extortion, and threatening bodily harm, and brandishing deadly weapons. Furthermore, jetski rentals would be past history, 100%.

easy to say, lets say a Mr Somchai is put in charge tomorrow.

either he stands to become rich quite soon or intimidated even sooner ie we know where u live where you wife takes your kids to school etc etc

not an easy problem to deal with whoever is in control of things

[striderman]

earlier for the coconut bar walk today but i catch one going down to the right of the steps by mike shopping mall at 14 40.

2 indians getting the treatment and discussions were still ongoing 40 mins later as i passed by on the return journey

[maidu]

earlier for the coconut bar walk today but i catch one going down to the right of the steps by mike shopping mall at 14 40.

2 indians getting the treatment and discussions were still ongoing 40 mins later as i passed by on the return journey

daily extortions on-going. Meanwhile, the mayor pretends he's doing something, but nothing tangible comes forth. What a pathetic scenario - each day, a new bunch of tourists get ripped off, and their vacations ruined. Pattaya needs a new slogan: Come To Pattaya - where you can get ripped off by jet ski extortionists!

Edited May 25, 2012 by maidu

[yogi100]

Surely by now every tourist who comes to Pattaya is aware of these scams and must know to avoid them like the plague. All countries have access to the internet even if their media have not warned their citizens of the risk involved.

[Boater]

Surely by now every tourist who comes to Pattaya is aware of these scams and must know to avoid them like the plague. All countries have access to the internet even if their media have not warned their citizens of the risk involved.

No they are not

I spent 30 mins on beach road yesterday , and watch 2 people scammed out of 100,000 the each .. It's a joke .. It made my blood boil as pattaya is becoming better but this vile is keeping it bad !

[maidu]

Surely by now every tourist who comes to Pattaya is aware of these scams and must know to avoid them like the plague. All countries have access to the internet even if their media have not warned their citizens of the risk involved.

It's a common trait for people to think what they know - is known by all others.

Reality check: what you know, is not known by all or even a majority of others who visit Pattaya or Phuket.

It's up to Thai authorities to clean up their act, particularly regional authorities in Pattaya and Phuket. If they want to be in the tourist industry, they've got to do some basic things, like eradicate blatant extortions on their beaches. Because they don't (or can't) do that, they are part of that black smear on Thai tourism.

[striderman]

a whole day since i posted so time to report another 1.

out all day exploring the dark side and down to rayong with an expat and car so late to the beach just after 17 00.

the beach is unbelievably quiet at the moment very few people about but as i get down to opposite the best friend bar complex i see a group of about 7 europeans/russians/who knows sitting in a line of chairs.

no thai is with them, but there are no beers on the tables and the umbrellas have gone, so why are they still sitting there?.

my scam o monitor is going off the scale, and i notice the footy mob who work that section are between the falangs and the road.

now there are many more people down this end than near mike shopping mall and it's a lot easier and safer to watch events unfold.

sure enough 18 10 and a thai policeman shows up for a ritual inspection and i've seen enough time to get a swift pic of him and offski

by the way these guys looked fit enough but even with 7 bodies they would have been outnumbered by at least 2 to 1

Edited May 26, 2012 by striderman

[Ohio]

I find it absolutely fascinating that this Scam can generate a consistent interest with a plethora of recorded and witnessed incidents providing more than enough reason for Jet Ski Hire in Pattaya to be totally ceased full stop until there are enforceable Regs put in Place.

But that is a normal procedure to eradicate an organised crime Scam so I guess that is not going to happen.

Almost 700 replies to this topic over time and there were oither threads some years ago similar .

The reality is that with the Funds generated by the Participants and the 'Blind Eye' supplied by authorities this will continue unabated and even if there is a Death it will not stop but will continue in another variation.

It is similar to the Drug market "Too Much Money to be made"

Sad but True

Edited May 27, 2012 by Ohio

[striderman]

an afternoon at a jomtien condo with wine, imported cheddar and a bit of swimming kept me away from the coconut bar yesterday but normal service was resumed today.

16 15 and as i walk by the dreaded steps to the right of mike shopping mall 2 middle eastern guys got swamped by about 9 thai ski wallahs as they returned to shore. lots of jumping around, lots of pointing, lots of scamming. those guys looked hungry with baht on their mind.

just another day on pattaya beach

and at the moment the beach is about as dead as i can ever remember there are few punters and the risk for renters is higher than normal.

by the way i forgot to mention the incident from two days ago the policeman was accompanied by a marine department offical

Edited May 28, 2012 by striderman

[maidu]

You might think that some authoritative body would set up a sting operation. Unfortunately, Thais are unable to set up successful stings. There are several reasons for that, but I'm too lazy to articulate them all.

[striderman]

i could have written todays one from the room i've seen it so many times.

another case of deja vu........

14 10 and as i walk past the dreaded steps to the right of mike shopping mall 2 indian guys got swamped by even more ski guys than yesterday.

fired off couple of swift pics then scarpered up the beach for a while.

when i return 40 mins later who has swept in to save the day on his trusty white honda wave?

that well known arbitrator and seeker of truth and justice the old Sikh guy.

God help them

[Hishoni1945]

Incredible...I have read about this scam abroad and have the last 4 days spent a few hours late afternoon in the area TQ1 to Mike Shopping.

They scam about 4 out of 5 renters. They have lookouts on beach road and go aggressively after customers. They don't stop even if it is a family. I have watched at least 12 scams going down in these days. I have overheard (verified with 2) numbers of 3-30'000 Baht!!! I watched twice a Thai scamster pretending to inspect the ski in the water, after the renters were called back early and actually rip off the rubber or do some damage while out of sight behind the ski.

They have an Indian (turban) and a younger Middle Eastern (ear-ring/tattooed arm) working for them, plus several locals watching out for them too, even across the road. The sad part is that obviously there is no way to stop this and most people have given up hope. I am shocked and feel sorry for all these people. All we can do is spread the word. J.H.

[pauljones]

The Mayor runs for re-election while all day long, in broad daylight, visitors are being robbed/abused, the police look the other way and the media stays silent.

Edited May 31, 2012 by pauljones

[soihok]

I see that the TAT have removed the TV ad from international screens, the one that shows tourists having a great amount of joy riding jet skis.

[Hishoni1945]

Thought it was a quiet afternoon, but another going down with the turban guy in front of TQ 1 right now! Then a good one a bit further down, with an anchor rope including anchor sucked into the impeller all the way to the hull of a ski in front of Mike Sh. Off course the renter is in fault and has to pay. Unreal...Shame on these people. JH.

[striderman]

Thought it was a quiet afternoon, but another going down with the turban guy in front of TQ 1 right now! Then a good one a bit further down, with an anchor rope including anchor sucked into the impeller all the way to the hull of a ski in front of Mike Sh. Off course the renter is in fault and has to pay. Unreal...Shame on these people. JH.

i think i saw them fixing that last one using a hammer and a beach umbrella sand spike as a handy tool. it did not take them too long.

meanwhile i realy need to make up a template for my reports it would make life so much easier i would just have to change the day and the time slightly and keep the rest.

2 to report on today.

1st one to the right of the dreaded mike shopping mall steps 4 indians at about 16 10 getting the treatment.

they were still at it 40 mins later when i had another pass. initial debate is by the ski's but it's usually too hot to debate money there so they usually decamp to the 2 trees to the right of the steps. 1 it's cooler and 2 there is a wall behind so it's not as easy to try and do a runner. the guy who last year had the orange hair and was then missing for a while was in the thick of things. i went off for a couple of cold ones and by the time i got back it was over.

2nd one about 17 40 in front of burger king royal garden plaza again 4 luckless indians

[Chivas]

Surely by now every tourist who comes to Pattaya is aware of these scams and must know to avoid them like the plague. All countries have access to the internet even if their media have not warned their citizens of the risk involved.

No they are not

I spent 30 mins on beach road yesterday , and watch 2 people scammed out of 100,000 the each .. It's a joke .. It made my blood boil as pattaya is becoming better but this vile is keeping it bad !

I must be the only regular user of Jet Ski's who's never once had a problem....

Are you suggesting two people handed over on the Beach Rd 200,000 between them.......??

[toenail]

Surely by now every tourist who comes to Pattaya is aware of these scams and must know to avoid them like the plague. All countries have access to the internet even if their media have not warned their citizens of the risk involved.

No they are not

I spent 30 mins on beach road yesterday , and watch 2 people scammed out of 100,000 the each .. It's a joke .. It made my blood boil as pattaya is becoming better but this vile is keeping it bad !

I must be the only regular user of Jet Ski's who's never once had a problem....

Are you suggesting two people handed over on the Beach Rd 200,000 between them.......??

***************************

You say, "I must be the only regular user of Jet Ski's who's never had a problem" It is called "selective bulling"...or preying on certain nationalities. I walked by a jet ski vendor the other day, he ignored me but behind me was asking two Indian guys if they wanted to rent. He followed them like a hawk.

[Chivas]

Surely by now every tourist who comes to Pattaya is aware of these scams and must know to avoid them like the plague. All countries have access to the internet even if their media have not warned their citizens of the risk involved.

No they are not

I spent 30 mins on beach road yesterday , and watch 2 people scammed out of 100,000 the each .. It's a joke .. It made my blood boil as pattaya is becoming better but this vile is keeping it bad !

I must be the only regular user of Jet Ski's who's never once had a problem....

Are you suggesting two people handed over on the Beach Rd 200,000 between them.......??

***************************

You say, "I must be the only regular user of Jet Ski's who's never had a problem" It is called "selective bulling"...or preying on certain nationalities. I walked by a jet ski vendor the other day, he ignored me but behind me was asking two Indian guys if they wanted to rent. He followed them like a hawk.

Yes I think your term for it is spot on.......

They always get a Polite approach from me but also perhaps a look that says don't act like idiots with me, and also I tended normally to stick to the same Pod of guys, although not always.....

Is Pod the right word !!