Jet Ski Scam Pattaya When Will It Stop

[sotsira]

Whinging or complaining in Thailand ain't going to cut it; the only and anyway to stop this tourists being scammed is to educate them before arriving. It's high time government agencies from the various countries started to look after their citizens. The very least it would make a great advertising campaign by any other country with identical tourist attractions to capture the market. A negative campaign against Thailand and its many many scams and corruption would go a long way to fixing a few problems. Thailand's economy relies on the tourist dollar and without it they are are up shit creek without a paddle. This is far from Thai-ness its plain commonsense and smart-ness.

If you've been following these scams you would know that some countries government agencies

have already been warning their citizens, also they're all over the internet just google Thailand scams and

you'll see. There have also been some tv programmes about this too, but it all still continues.

15-20million tourists arrive in Thailand each year from hundreds of different countries,

amongst them are plenty of newbies who are totally unaware and ripe for the picking.

You just can't educate that amount of people, that's the reality of it.

This can only be approached by the authorities within Thailand and that's where the problem lies.

[Meisgq]

Whinging or complaining in Thailand ain't going to cut it; the only and anyway to stop this tourists being scammed is to educate them before arriving. It's high time government agencies from the various countries started to look after their citizens. The very least it would make a great advertising campaign by any other country with identical tourist attractions to capture the market. A negative campaign against Thailand and its many many scams and corruption would go a long way to fixing a few problems. Thailand's economy relies on the tourist dollar and without it they are are up shit creek without a paddle. This is far from Thai-ness its plain commonsense and smart-ness.

Although important, Thailand doesn't depend on tourism. It only accounts for about 6% of GDP. Maybe the khaosan pad thai vendors and the gogo bars will suffer with a drop in tourists, but it wouldn't hurt the normal folks.

Shawn

[pauljones]

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Police and Tourist Authority meet to discuss the scamming of tourists.

November 2009:

A shame the local press wont dig into this institutionalized, systematic defrauding of visitors.

Edited October 22, 2012 by pauljones

[kevkev1888]

Not been down to the beach for while, was down by Mikes around 4pm yesterday, ongoing scam, same faces same MO.

No change!

[StealthEnergiser]

Whinging or complaining in Thailand ain't going to cut it; the only and anyway to stop this tourists being scammed is to educate them before arriving. It's high time government agencies from the various countries started to look after their citizens. The very least it would make a great advertising campaign by any other country with identical tourist attractions to capture the market. A negative campaign against Thailand and its many many scams and corruption would go a long way to fixing a few problems. Thailand's economy relies on the tourist dollar and without it they are are up shit creek without a paddle. This is far from Thai-ness its plain commonsense and smart-ness.

The embassies are well aware of this and are not doing enough it will take some tourists life to be lost by stabbing or gun shot by these mafias running the beach before they will take strong enough action.

Edited October 24, 2012 by StealthEnergiser

[simple1]

Whinging or complaining in Thailand ain't going to cut it; the only and anyway to stop this tourists being scammed is to educate them before arriving. It's high time government agencies from the various countries started to look after their citizens. The very least it would make a great advertising campaign by any other country with identical tourist attractions to capture the market. A negative campaign against Thailand and its many many scams and corruption would go a long way to fixing a few problems. Thailand's economy relies on the tourist dollar and without it they are are up shit creek without a paddle. This is far from Thai-ness its plain commonsense and smart-ness.

The embassies are well aware of this and are not doing enough it will take some tourists life to be lost by stabbing or gun shot by these mafias running the beach before they will take strong enough action.

Embassies cannot interfere in the domestic affairs of another country, even if it crime related, but can put diplomatic pressure on law enforcement agencies. Foreign governments can and do provide travel advise; an example from the Australian Smartraveller site that talks to the risks of jet ski hire is below. The Smartraveller website is advertised in the Australian media so Australians, as an example, cannot say they were unaware of potential risks when traveling overseas.

Australian travellers continue to report harassment and threats of violence by jet ski operators on tourist beaches, particularly in Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Many travellers have reported that, after returning hired jet skis, they have been confronted by gangs claiming that the tourist damaged the jet ski. There have been reported instances of such gangs threatening violence, including at knifepoint, if a large sum of money in compensation for the alleged damage is not paid. Australians hiring jet skis should check the jet ski for damage, including underneath, before riding and take photographs of the jet ski that may be helpful in the resolution of disputes.

Operators may request your passport as a deposit or guarantee before hiring jet skis or motorbikes. If there is a dispute about damage to a rented jet ski or motorbike, rental operators may try to keep your passport until they receive compensation. Passports are valuable documents that should be appropriately protected. We recommend that Australians do not provide passports as deposits or guarantees.

Edited October 24, 2012 by simple1

[PoodMaiDai]

I like to stop in here from time to time, usually after press saying something is going to be done, to see if they actually did anything. I know the answer, but I am holding out for a miracle, since it is now Miracle Thailand.

[striderman]

been here a couple of weeks and a combination of afternoon rain storms, furthering anglo thai relations, lazyness on my part and trying to wade through the entire series of the sopranos have limited my beach walks.

but yesterday i made it about 17 45 not much renting going on (rain earlier) but got 2 scams going down.

1st one opposite Tipp Plaza near mike shopping mall group of indians on the receiving end and a second one opposite Mulligans bar near Centrale shopping centre.

.

life on pattaya beach goes on

[kevkev1888]

been here a couple of weeks and a combination of afternoon rain storms, furthering anglo thai relations, lazyness on my part and trying to wade through the entire series of the sopranos have limited my beach walks.

but yesterday i made it about 17 45 not much renting going on (rain earlier) but got 2 scams going down.

1st one opposite Tipp Plaza near mike shopping mall group of indians on the receiving end and a second one opposite Mulligans bar near Centrale shopping centre.

.

life on pattaya beach goes on

The Indians where still being held captive on the beach at 18.45 in the dark.

Edited October 26, 2012 by kevkev1888

[striderman]

[

The Indians where still being held captive on the beach at 18.45 in the dark.

i never hang about these days esp when it gets dark and i cannot get a pic anyway

[marinediscoking]

Scam yesterday with the Red ski just north of Mike's. Looked like they were Chinese tourists.

[striderman]

today 17 10.

location directly opposite mike shopping mall in front of the steps 2 scams going down within 5 mtrs of each other.

1 involving indians 2 nd south koreans.

the koreans tried to walk off 3 times each time being stopped by the thais. in the end 2 of pattaya's finest rolled up on a motorcy i think to deal with the indian's problems but hey it's like a supermarket here bogwof.............buy one get one free.

[wans]

the koreans were sent to the police station with their 15 year old ganster who thought he was going to be able to buy a weeks worth of yaba, the Koreans decided to take a baht bus but the ganster ran up and told the driver he was marfia and not to move so that didnt work, but they headed south all the same, I dont know why they only had one kid to make sure they didnt disobey but hopefully they got away

I have seen no slow down, in fact I think the result of the meetings is that they now know that no one will touch them, they are scamming more people a day then ever before, most of it recorded on video phones as they draw large crowds now

[marinediscoking]

Another Scam today going late into the evening with what looked like a few young Russians across from Royal garden. The jet ski owner seems to park where ever he wants. I guess Sunday is a big scam day.

Edited October 28, 2012 by marinediscoking

[wellred]

Would be nice if one day they try it on with the wrong Russian.

[TheWalkingMan]

Another Scam today going late into the evening with what looked like a few young Russians across from Royal garden. The jet ski owner seems to park where ever he wants. I guess Sunday is a big scam day.

Easy to park anywhere you want when the authorities give you a free hand with criminal activities.

[striderman]

yesterday 16 10 opposite five star bar (next to mike shopping mall of course) 2 scams both on indians the first one a large group the second one a pair.

both almost next to each other, outcome unknown there is not much cover there and a lot of ski guys, best to keep on the move.

when i walked past about 2 hrs later 2 indians were still in talks but not sure if these were ones i had seen earlier or a new lot

[striderman]

14 35 right at the start of beach rd the first ski unit were stitching up 2 indians.

[striderman]

14 50 today opposite the nautical inn next to the five star bar and mike shopping mall 2 indians getting the treatment from the usual suspects

[smedly]

I think you're wrong

I'm not sure that fella a few weeks back was involved in any scam - from most observations here there are two spots on the beach run by the thugs...............opposite mikes shopping and near walking street, we may not know what went on but I suspect the thugs are responsible for this young mans life - perhaps he tried to fight his corner while the low lifes wanted to expand.

[Rimmer]

Un called for remark removed

[StealthEnergiser]

I think you're wrong

I'm not sure that fella a few weeks back was involved in any scam - from most observations here there are two spots on the beach run by the thugs...............opposite mikes shopping and near walking street, we may not know what went on but I suspect the thugs are responsible for this young mans life - perhaps he tried to fight his corner while the low lifes wanted to expand.

Opposite Royal Garden also is a hot spot for them.

[wans]

I think the mafia control all the beach from MIkes to walking street

[PoodMaiDai]

LOLOLOL still going huh?

Don't worry, after the next round of press releases and photo ops on the beach, THEN they will won't do something about it.

[TheWalkingMan]

These scams can be counted on to appear just like sunrise and sunset.

[gmac]

Saturday evening at around 6pm I walked past the Mikes area and there was a group of at least 6 police and a large number of people gathered in some sort of exchange, presumably jet-ski related, I didn't stop to find out. The next evening at a similar time there wasn't a jet-ski to be seen. Haven't seen anyone report a jet-ski incident in the last couple of days on here, surely something positive hasn't been done.

[yoslim]

Two falangs giving back jet-skis around 4pm near royal garden, very friendly operators and no scam at all. They left laughing and very satisfied.

[marinediscoking]

Two falangs giving back jet-skis around 4pm near royal garden, very friendly operators and no scam at all. They left laughing and very satisfied.

I have also personally witness that same group start a very violent fight with some Israelis that spilled into beach road that stopped traffic for several minutes. When the police turned up the jetski operators ran off. This particular group is one of the worst in pattaya, but of course even the powers "that be" will not allow them to scam each and every customer that rents.

Edited November 7, 2012 by marinediscoking

[wans]

saw one capsized today, I thought they were self righting, maybe not, they let the couple that had hired it float around for 5 minutes or so while they inspected it, I guess softening them up. I wouldnt be surprised if they left a bung out on purpose because it was full of water. could be their latest scam. im sure it cost the couple a lot of money anyway

[StealthEnergiser]

saw one capsized today, I thought they were self righting, maybe not, they let the couple that had hired it float around for 5 minutes or so while they inspected it, I guess softening them up. I wouldnt be surprised if they left a bung out on purpose because it was full of water. could be their latest scam. im sure it cost the couple a lot of money anyway

You are spot on saying it may be a scam , i have closely watched these gangs many times and when clamp downs occur they change their tactics and there has been an increase in jet skis , capsizing , sinking , and others where customers have rented a jet ski and are crashed into by another person (i suspect with connections to the owner).