Jet Ski Scam Pattaya When Will It Stop

[saintofsilence]

Plenty of scams going on again today Soi 11 and Soi 13 short guy Mr Floral Shorts with colours in the hair shorts {see pic in post 176) involved again but he also travels on a bike between the different scam areas to intimidate tourists , also they are still using a foreign person to help scam and showing photo's.

he is a busy guy the one with the fancy hair and big neck chain. I have lots of pics of him on the beach

Yes I had a look at your pictures he is one of the leaders and most times has a camera showing the customer marks on the jet ski and this is how they make their money and what have the Police done S.F.A.

Even after media like this

Jet ski scams use fake photos

http://pattayatoday.net/news/news-from-around-pattaya/jet-ski-scams-use-fake-photos/

[highchol]

We are getting into speculation and conjecture again, please stick to facts and what we know.

The fact seems to be that daylight robbery is happening daily and nothing is being done to stop it.

[londoedan]

Every year, Chonburi's elite toast fugitive Kamnan Poh, known as the godfather of Chonburi.

The former mayor was sentenced in absentia in 2006 to five years and four months in prison for corruption involving the sale of a forest reserve for use as a garbage dump.

Local administrative officials have attended a party to celebrate the birthday of fugitive Somchai Khunplome, father of Pattaya Mayor.

The Pattaya Mayor, son of Kamnan Poh, oversees the resort town on the east coast of Thailand where tourists are being defrauded and attacked, daily, in broad daylight, on Pattaya's garbage strewn beaches lined with illegal businesses, drug dealers, gangs and hookers.

It is estimated the Pattaya Beach Gangs are taking 300,000 from tourists each day.

I've just spent some time reading some articles about these characters on-line, from fairly reputable sources. And the current mayor, who's picture appears endlessly in the local expat papers and TV stations, plus is plastered-up all around town, is this characters son ?

Hmmmm - suddenly a lot of things have become clearer. Lets hope what goes around comes around (eventually).

And thanks for posting the info.

Simon

[Tokay]

We are getting into speculation and conjecture again, please stick to facts and what we know.

Deal.

Fact: Kamnan Poh, Thailand's most notorious crime boss, is known as the godfather of Chonburi.

Fact: He is the father of the current Mayor of Pattaya.

Fact: The jet ski scam is never going to end.

[Kadafi]

Who cares, we know the scams exist so why not just not use the jetskis in Pattaya, Phuket etc? However i have used Jetski's in Pattaya twice and have never been scammed or overcharged, i guess gullible looking tourists just get targeted.

[saintofsilence]

Who cares, we know the scams exist so why not just not use the jetskis in Pattaya, Phuket etc? However i have used Jetski's in Pattaya twice and have never been scammed or overcharged, i guess gullible looking tourists just get targeted.

If you rent a jet ski on your own and not in a group you have a better chance of not being scammed ,the scammers always target groups of two or more but why would you risk 50 or 60 thousand baht if these guys did decide to scam you.

This is an organized criminal ring set up for the whole purpose to extort tourists there are atleast 50 involved just on pattaya beach and they are still operating daily even after five have been arrested.

[pauljones]

" i guess gullible looking tourists just get targeted."

Exactly right, and why it is so wrong.

This is a tourist town.

To have the local thugs colluding with police to rob them is outrageous.

[Ohio]

It is endemic , it is organised , it has been around for many years before the latest round of publicity.

No 1 FACT

It will never be eradicated

Message to TOURISTS :-

DON'T HIRE JET SKIS IN THAILAND

Simple way to avoid being a victim

Edited November 5, 2011 by Ohio

[soihok]

" i guess gullible looking tourists just get targeted."

Exactly right, and why it is so wrong.

This is a tourist town.

To have the local thugs colluding with police to rob them is outrageous.

Yes, totally outrageous.

[wans]

couple of russians scammed op soi 13/3 yesterday evening, nasty plain clothed guy on motorbike with police written on the front turned up for his cut, obvious that they are all on methamphetamines and hanging out to get cash to buy more even if it means killing somebody, totally worthless scum

[saintofsilence]

couple of russians scammed op soi 13/3 yesterday evening, nasty plain clothed guy on motorbike with police written on the front turned up for his cut, obvious that they are all on methamphetamines and hanging out to get cash to buy more even if it means killing somebody, totally worthless scum

That nasty looking guy you are talking about also travels with a another guy on motorbike dressed in clothes to look like marine department he wears a white shirt with two gold stripes he is working with the scammers and has done for months and months.

There is also a half thai /indian who they call and flashes an ID card to tourists .

Also the big Russian and a Sikh guy are still hanging around the beach.

This operation is big and raking in millions of baht .

Along with Using fake photos's and no law enforcement is helping tourists this situation will get so bad that some person may be killed or very seriously injured for standing up to these thugs.

All embassies should be warning their citizens that plan to visit Thailand stay away from jet ski's.

Interesting that the Pattaya city had a web site Pattaya future and they have not answered any questions for over 6 months about the scams and now the web site has been closed , so it just shows what we are all dealing with this is not just about jet ski's it's also about corruption and safety for tourists to Pattaya in general.

[saintofsilence]

Pattaya Police Facebook Page

http://th-th.facebook.com/PattayaPolice

[saintofsilence]

A NEW OUTLOOK FOR PATTAYA POLICE:

This page is designed to try and establish a positive relationship between the police and community.

Yes some people will complain about certain things but without communication we can not improve for the future..

http://th-th.facebook.com/PattayaPolice

Online Confidential Crime Reporting

please help us to fight crime by giving us information,

you can choose to leave your contact details or not, its up to you.

http://www.pattayapolice.com/report.html

Edited November 7, 2011 by saintofsilence

[saintofsilence]

This article was last February and the same Indian Tailor and Russian are still involved including uniformed persons turning up at the scene it leaves no hope for a tourist getting away without being scammed.

This criminal ring is dangerous and need stopping.

Honest Pattaya Beach Vendors ask for help as Jet Ski cases continue

16th February 2011

Incidents involving Jet Ski’s are a daily occurrence here in Pattaya and we witnessed one such case take place on Pattaya Beach, in front of the Royal Garden Plaza on Tuesday Night. We were originally tipped-off by the owner of a Speed Boat who operates on the beach. He is angry that the reputation of Pattaya and other businesses along Pattaya Beach are being destroyed because of the Jet Ski Operators who appear to be working in cooperation with local Police in some cases. Our informant, who wishes to remain anonymous claims that tourists are being charged excessive amounts for minor damage which they are alleged to have caused to the machines. In some cases, the damage is genuine, in others it is not. On Tuesday Night we saw a group of Indian Tourists and a Russian Couple, who are believed to have been involved in an accident with their Jet Ski’s. The Jet Ski Operators appeared to utilize the services of a local Tailor Shop owner and an unknown Russian interpreter to negotiate compensation from both parties

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/20498/honest-pattaya-beach-vendors-ask-for-help-as-jet-ski-cases-continue/

[saintofsilence]

Trip Advisor July 2009 and Not much has changed it is now Nov 2011

Warning!!!!Jet Ski Pattaya ”

16 July 2009, 20:47

Hey Guys

Just a bit of advice in regards to renting Jet Skies in Pattaya. Im just back from my first time in Thailand, and over all i loved it! However while we spent some days in Pattaya we had a really bad experience.

Myself and my two friends ( all Male in our early 20's) were approuched by a man while walking down the beach asking if we wanted to rent jet Skies, he was friendly enough and we arranged a price of 400THB each for 30mins. We were asked to sign a piece of paper which asked for our Hotel name and room number (we didnt give these details of course, and sign fake names) they were very friendly and polite.

When we arrived back after 30mins there wasnt just the two men and women there but about 10 of the roughest looking men you have ever seen, screaming at us, saying we broke two of the jet skies. They had Tattoos all over there necks arms and faces, one of them actually had a stab wound on his face that kept bleeding. They demanded 77000THB and said they would call the police, i said i was more than happy for the police to come and sort it out. When i said this they went crazy and tried to fight us, taking out knives etc!!!! Then a non Thai came over and "tried to help" cause he could speak Thai, he was completley in on the whole thing!! We tried to leave and were blocked off, so it was either pay or fight completley out numbered. We insisted we did not have the kind of money over and over and the price after one hour went from 77000 to 20000THB, which we regretfully paid!

When we walked away a police man was right beside the beach, i ran over to him, and before i opened my mouth he put up his hand and said not my problem!!!!!!

On our travels we heard so many stories of people saying the same thing over and over. This incident really put a downer on things for a few days, and one of my friends was so shuck up about it we did not leave the hotel complex for a week! This happened right in front of the main shopping centre along the beach.

And i know some of you's will say ah well you should not have arranged it with some guy on the street but anyone who has been to pattaya will know that everything is like this there, you could walk 100metres and be approuched about 10times from people trying to sell you snything from suits to Women, to jet Skies to Watches, its just the way things are over there.

Sorry for the big Novel but at the end of the day if this posting even prevents one person from going through the same situation we did i will be happy!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293919-i9439-k2953580-o80-Warning_Jet_Ski_Pattaya-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

[Rimmer]

One post removed please see THIS post on the subject

[saintofsilence]

A month later, jet ski registration falls short

At a Sept. 28 Pattaya City Hall meeting,

Nearly a month after demanding that jet ski vendors register at city hall or face criminal action, city officials are still mulling how best to end the seemingly unending string of embarrassing scams against tourists.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said that while 168 beach vendors did register their 520 jet skis, many have not.

Failure to register, however, hasn’t led to any repercussions for scofflaws, who Ronakit vowed in late August would be “classified as criminals” if they didn’t comply.

Instead, the deputy mayor again summoned Marine Office bureaucrats to discuss new regulations to cover all water-related sports businesses on area beaches.

Before any new regulation can be drafted, the city still must find a way to determine exactly how many jet skis and boats are working beaches on the mainland and near islands, outline parking and business zones and figure out how to force vendors to register.

http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/a-month-later-jet-ski-registration-falls-short-6710

Pattaya’s Jet Ski Problems Not Solved Yet

Two types of insurance; a long term insurance and an hourly insurance. The insurance would cover the jet ski, property and life. Implementation of a jet ski tax insurance; a coupon which the operator could buy at Pattaya municipality. The coupon would be divided into three parts; jet ski rental, insurance and tax.

In addition, August 9-10 2011, (PDN) The jet ski operators in Pattaya should have their jet skis and their drivers registered with the Pattaya municipality as soon as possible.The registration would allow the officers to know the jet ski owner/operator in case of a problem or an accident.

If the operators will not register they will be not be allowed to rent their jet skis to tourists.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2011/08/05/pattayas-jet-ski-problems-not-solved-yet/

Edited November 9, 2011 by saintofsilence

[pauljones]

Deputy Mayor: "Before any new regulation can be drafted, the city still must find a way to determine exactly how many jet skis and boats are working beaches on the mainland and near islands, outline parking and business zones and figure out how to force vendors to register."

That is such a dilemma Mr. Deputy Mayor. I guess there is nothing that can be done.

Perhaps I am misinformed but the umbrella vendors and jet ski operators pay someone at city hall for use of the beach, No?

[saintofsilence]

12 Aug 2011 Jet Ski Operators Put on a Short Leash

Mayor Ittipon explained The jet ski and related business operators have cooperated with the request to register their vehicles, and insurance companies, which are reviewing their databases, will set a standard for compensations to help both the operators and tourists when an accident occurs. Further progress will be reported at the next meeting.

http://www.pattayapeople.com/default.asp?Folder=16&IdArticle=27659

28 Sept 2011

City Hall meeting, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said that while 168 beach vendors did register their 520 jet skis, many have not. Failure to register, however, hasn’t led to any repercussions for scofflaws, who Ronakit vowed in late August would be “classified as criminals” if they didn’t comply.

[saintofsilence]

Jet Ski Operators Put on a Short Leash

Edited November 9, 2011 by saintofsilence

[saintofsilence]

"outline parking and business zones and figure out how to force vendors to register"

Scams and Extortion has continued while the authorities are trying to outline Parking Zones .

These are weak excuses while every day people are being confronted by these gangs on the beach who daily use photo's that are being manipulated to use as evidence by witness reports.

[jmo]

How about the simple and obvious solution. Each ski to be rented must display the company name and its registration number along with proof of valid insurance so that even the tourist will understand that there is an insurance to cover any damages and any jet skis found on the beach without these will be illegal and confiscated. Problem solved.

[saintofsilence]

This meeting was sept 2010 not specifacally about the jet ski scam but some interesting information abou the Marine Dept including a link of one mans crusade for justice.

Pattaya Tourist Boat Operation & Management Meeting Held 14 sept 2010

Pattaya and Chon-Buri maritime transport authorities met on Tuesday to discuss the better organisation and management of vessels operating in the Pattaya Bay, for the benefit of involved tourists.

Editor’s note: Tourist boat operational problems will likely never change in Pattaya until the entire system is overhauled; here are just a few points to consider when looking at the issue:

- Mr. Sanit Boonmachai (President of the Tourist Boat Association (TBA)) has a stranglehold on this industry and his position at the helm of its operations. Unlike the police or other positions of authority in Thailand, who are generally rotated yearly to avoid complacency and widespread corruption, the president of the TBA is elected into power as with government officials. In that respect certain key figures have a significant say in the election proceedings, often directly related to the prevalent accusations of vote-buying.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010/09/16/pattaya-bay-tourist-boat-organisation-meeting-held/

[saintofsilence]

Due to these scammers being experts in this field and tactics they use it is very hard to determine who are authorised persons turning up at the scams and who are fake , many times people resembling the marine department have been turning up and they are extremely friendly with these scammers.

Also there is the Sikh guy who is still working down pass royal garden , also a big russian guy and half thai going buy many reports online these people all give the victims the indication that they are working for the police and there to help the victim

Edited November 9, 2011 by saintofsilence

[saintofsilence]

July 2006

Debate on setting up rules and regulation for Jet Skis

On 26th July 2006, Mr. Sanit Boonmachai, President of Pattaya Tourist Boat Club, called upon committee and all members of the Club for a meeting to point out the problem by the activities of Tourist Boat and try to find solution to bring the service to a better standard.

Mr. Sanit mentioned that the current problem that the club is facing is the Jet Ski operators who lack the responsibility in operating their business. At the moment there are more than 100 Jet Ski, it is found that the Jet Ski operators started their business at approximate 12.00 hrs. and bring them onshore at 21.00 hrs. Which is not according to the rules and regulations of general boat operators. Many complaints were received from groups of Tourist & Officers subjecting to the safety and service charges.

The Management Committees, High Ranking Officers & Chief of Government Department of Pattaya had also reprimanded the Jet Ski Operators about their services and the parking of Jet Ski along the Bali Hai Pier. It had been noticed that parking is not in proper order and dirtiness as a whole, as well as, parking in Jet Ski in the car parking lots which cause a lot of problem to the public who come to use the service of the pier.

For this problem the Club will take more serious action and firm steps for law-breaker to maintain the good image of the Club and the Jet Ski Operators in general.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2006/07/28/debate-on-setting-up-rules-and-regulation-for-jet-skis/

[pauljones]

From Pattaya Now website:

Ski Scams Continue Despite Promises From City Hall, August 4, 2011

" It seems hard to believe that people openly operating without a licence are not only known to the authorities but allowed to continue in business without being compelled to legalise their operation"

"What we do know is that jet-ski operators are still shaking down marks and often attempt to intimidate any foreigner who appears to be sticking around to watch the shakedown unfold."

."not a single City Hall-operated booth manned by local government employees has managed to appear anywhere along the length of Beach Road."

..."you might get lucky and nothing untoward will happen"

Full article here:

http://inpattayanow....spite-promises/

Edited November 9, 2011 by pauljones

[pauljones]

I heard the unlicensed beach operators pay a substantial, monthly "fine" to the authorities.

Just like the unlicensed entertainment places, vendors, porn sellers, scammers.

They all are being "fined" every month.

[saintofsilence]

I heard the unlicensed beach operators pay a substantial, monthly "fine" to the authorities.

Just like the unlicensed entertainment places, vendors, porn sellers, scammers.

They all are being "fined" every month.

This guy Mr Floral Shorts never stops scamming he was gone for a few days I thought finally the police were starting to do their job but no he is back again just changed his location a 50 metres.

Not Sure if he is blacklisted but he has moved to a new location .

http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/05/14/pattaya-jet-ski-scam-still-going-strong/

[pauljones]

I see the police vigorously go after an "unlicensed" squid vendor on the beach but the police don't seem to notice the unlicensed jet ski mafia robbing tourists of hundreds of thousand of baht every day.

Amazing.

Like the Mayor said: "it's complicated"

[wans]

there could be more to it. who owns the jetskis? or who is owed money for them? are the scammers scamming under threats of violence themselves? its a big financial outlay that probably doesnt pay for itself, certainly not over the low season. the jetski scammers dont seem to have anything to show for the money they collect. Ive heard that someone in the police owns the jetskis. Ive seen a car cruising along that collects money from all the operators.