'Guns At The Ready' Over Phuket Jet-Ski Dispute

[yumidesign]

just let em shoot each other. cheap pest control.

afraid i agree.

mr Jet-ski "Club" President Anusorn Saree looks like a BAD dude, perhaps he could be the first in line for rough justice

[chivo]

The US should issue their travel warning about Phuket. Everybody should write the us embassy and recommend this. Terrible things happen to foreigners EVERDAY there.

[chooka]

The US should issue their travel warning about Phuket. Everybody should write the us embassy and recommend this. Terrible things happen to foreigners EVERDAY there.

But then they will be marching on the U.S Embassy complaing, It's not nice and not playing fair if you warn your citizens of the leaches and scammers waiting for you when you arrive.

[Just1Voice]

NOTICE TO TOURISTS

Are now entering Phuket, the Thai version of Dodge City, but without the cowboy hats and horses. During your time here you will be subject to the following:

1. Jet ski scams for which you will have to pay thousands of baht for damages that were there prior to your even touching it.
   
2. Police who are not the least bit interested in whatever your complaint is, who will always blame you, always take the side of the Thai, regardless of the issue, and who receives his cut from any “damages” you will be forced to pay.
   
3. If you are beaten, stabbed or shot by the Always Friendly and Never Violent Thai, do not expect any Thai to be arrested. However, you can expect to be blamed by the police, who will say that you are the one who probably attacked some poor, innocent Thai, or provoked them by calling them something such as a Monitor Lizard, and if you hadn’t come to Thailand, this wouldn’t have happened to you in the first place.
   
4. If you, or even you and a friend, go to a bar, chances are you will find those willing to accompany you back to your hotel room where you will either: a) discover that the women are actually members of the well-known Thai Lady Boy section of society, or: be drugged, only to wake up many hours later to find all of your valuables have been stolen.
   
5. If you happen to bump into a tuk-tuk with your hip, you will find yourself confronted by the owner, who will demand a minimum of 1,000 baht for “repairs”. If you refuse to pay, you can rest assured that he, along with 9-10 of his buddies, will all gang up to beat and stomp you to near death. Again, no arrest will be made, so please do not bother the police with this trivial matter.
   
6. Just sitting down in a tuk-tuk will cost you 200 baht, and you will soon realize that it’s actually cheaper to rent a new Benz by the day than to use the tuk-tuk. It will do you no good to negotiate a price with the driver, as once you reach your destination, he will double, or otherwise raise the previously agreed price, which you will be forced to pay, or face him and 9-10 of his friends and be beaten and stomped to near death.
   

Despite all of these things, we hope you enjoy your stay. However, we would much rather you simply give your ATM card to the local police, along with your PIN number, and any cash and other valuables you may have, and then go back where you came from.

[kirk0233]

The US should issue their travel warning about Phuket. Everybody should write the us embassy and recommend this. Terrible things happen to foreigners EVERDAY there.

The department of state of the US does warn about Phuket in its country specific information. Some of the information includes:

Rental Vehicle Scams: You should be aware of a common scam that involves the rental of motorbikes, jet skis, and sometimes cars. Many rental companies require your passport as a deposit. If there is damage to the rental vehicle, the company often holds the passport until you pay for the damage. We have received many reports of renters having been charged exorbitant amounts for damage to jet skis or motorbikes, even in instances where the renter had caused no visible damage. A variation of this scam occurs when the motorbike is “stolen,” and the rental agency demands that you pay two or three times the price of the motorbike to replace it. For this reason, you should be cautious about rental arrangements and not use your passport as a deposit or collateral. You should be certain to examine the vehicle and note any pre-existing damage before operating the vehicle. If you purchase insurance from the rental shop, be sure you know what the insurance policy covers, and get a receipt showing you paid for insurance. (See also the Crime section.)

CRIME: Although the crime threat in Bangkok and other Thai cities remains lower than that in many U.S. cities, crimes of opportunity such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and burglary are not unusual. You should be especially wary when walking in crowded markets, tourist sites, and bus or train stations. Many U.S. citizens have reported having passports, wallets, and other valuables stolen in Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, usually by pickpockets and thieves who cut into purses or bags with a razor and remove items surreptitiously. Police at the Market usually refuse to issue police reports for foreign victims of theft, requiring them instead to travel several miles to the central Tourist Police office.

Violent crimes against foreigners are relatively rare. However, there has been a recent upsurge in violent crime against tourists, including the murder of several independent travelers on the southern islands of Phuket and Koh Samui. If you are traveling alone, you should exercise caution and stay in the vicinity of other travelers, especially in the beach areas of these islands.

Serious crimes involving taxis or "tuk-tuks" (three-wheeled taxis) are relatively rare. However, every year foreign passengers are involved in taxi-related incidents in Thailand. You should not hesitate to ask to be let out of a taxi immediately if the driver is acting suspiciously or driving erratically. Drivers often attempt to charge excessive fares. If possible, require the driver to use the meter. Police will seldom intervene in incidents involving taxi drivers. In Phuket, threats of violence may accompany excessive charges. Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers there have been described in media reports as being a “mafia.” They have organized against attempts to provide alternative services. For instance, they have blockaded van and bus services during U.S. Navy ship visits. (See also the Special Circumstances and Safety and Road Conditions sections.)

When arriving at a Thai airport, you should use only taxis from the airport's official taxi stand, cars from the airport limousine counters, or airport buses. Major hotels also arrange to have a car and driver meet incoming flights. It is uncommon for Thai taxis to pick up additional passengers. You should be wary of drivers seeking to do so, and you should never enter a cab that has someone besides the driver in it.

Scams involving gems, city tours, entertainment venues, and credit cards are common, especially in areas heavily visited by tourists. Taxi drivers and others commonly tout gem stores or entertainment venues. These touts receive kickbacks or commissions that drive up the prices of the goods or services, and you should not accept tours or other offers from them. You should use credit cards only in reputable, established businesses, and you should check the amount you have been charged for accuracy.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) receives over a thousand complaints each year from visitors who have been cheated on gem purchases. Scams usually follow a predictable pattern. Someone approaches you outside of a well-known tourist attraction such as the Grand Palace and says that the attraction is closed. The friendly stranger gains your confidence and suggests a visit to a temple that is supposedly open only one day per year; the stranger then mentions in passing that a special once-a-year government-sponsored gem sale is going on and directs you to a waiting tuk-tuk. At the temple, another stranger -- sometimes a foreigner-- engages you in conversation and also mentions the "special" gem sale. You agree to go look at the gem shop and are soon convinced to buy thousands of dollars worth of jewels that you can supposedly sell in the United States for a 100 percent profit. In fact, the gems turn out to be of much less value than you paid for them, and the shop does not honor its money-back guarantee. No matter what a tout may say, no jewelry stores are owned, operated, or sponsored by the Thai government or by the Thai royal family. You can find the list of gem dealers who have promised to abide by TAT guidelines online at the Buying Gems and Jewellery in Thailand section of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's website.You can find detailed information on gem scams on numerous websites. If you fall victim to a gem scam, you should contact the local branch of the Tourist Police or call their toll-free number: 1155.

Although most bars and entertainment venues operate honestly, some, especially in tourist areas such as Bangkok’s Patpong area, try to charge exorbitant prices for drinks or unadvertised cover charges and then threaten violence if the charges are not paid. If you are victimized in this fashion, you should not attempt to resolve the problem yourself but should instead pay the price demanded and then seek out a nearby Tourist Police officer for help in getting restitution. If no officer is nearby, you can phone the Tourist Police at 1155.

There have been occasional reports of prostitutes or bar workers drugging people with the powerful sedative scopolamine in order to rob them. Tourists have also been victimized by drugged food and drink, usually offered by a friendly stranger who is sometimes posing as a fellow traveler on an overnight bus or train. In addition, casual acquaintances you meet in a bar or on the street may pose a threat. You should not leave drinks or food unattended and should avoid going alone to unfamiliar venues.

Criminals have victimized some foreigners by presenting themselves as police, sometimes wearing police uniforms. After a conspirator lures the foreigner into doing something illegal, the “police officer” appears and threatens to arrest the foreigner unless he or she pays a “bribe” -- which the conspirator helps to negotiate. To protect yourself from such scams, do not engage in activities that would put you in a vulnerable position, such as soliciting sex or purchasing or using illegal drugs. If someone claiming to be a police officer demands money from you, request to pay at the police station.

[kimamey]

The US should issue their travel warning about Phuket. Everybody should write the us embassy and recommend this. Terrible things happen to foreigners EVERDAY there.

The department of state of the US does warn about Phuket in its country specific information. Some of the information includes:

Rental Vehicle Scams: You should be aware of a common scam that involves the rental of motorbikes, jet skis, and sometimes cars. Many rental companies require your passport as a deposit. If there is damage to the rental vehicle, the company often holds the passport until you pay for the damage. We have received many reports of renters having been charged exorbitant amounts for damage to jet skis or motorbikes, even in instances where the renter had caused no visible damage. A variation of this scam occurs when the motorbike is “stolen,” and the rental agency demands that you pay two or three times the price of the motorbike to replace it. For this reason, you should be cautious about rental arrangements and not use your passport as a deposit or collateral. You should be certain to examine the vehicle and note any pre-existing damage before operating the vehicle. If you purchase insurance from the rental shop, be sure you know what the insurance policy covers, and get a receipt showing you paid for insurance. (See also the Crime section.)

CRIME: Although the crime threat in Bangkok and other Thai cities remains lower than that in many U.S. cities, crimes of opportunity such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and burglary are not unusual. You should be especially wary when walking in crowded markets, tourist sites, and bus or train stations. Many U.S. citizens have reported having passports, wallets, and other valuables stolen in Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, usually by pickpockets and thieves who cut into purses or bags with a razor and remove items surreptitiously. Police at the Market usually refuse to issue police reports for foreign victims of theft, requiring them instead to travel several miles to the central Tourist Police office.

Violent crimes against foreigners are relatively rare. However, there has been a recent upsurge in violent crime against tourists, including the murder of several independent travelers on the southern islands of Phuket and Koh Samui. If you are traveling alone, you should exercise caution and stay in the vicinity of other travelers, especially in the beach areas of these islands.

Serious crimes involving taxis or "tuk-tuks" (three-wheeled taxis) are relatively rare. However, every year foreign passengers are involved in taxi-related incidents in Thailand. You should not hesitate to ask to be let out of a taxi immediately if the driver is acting suspiciously or driving erratically. Drivers often attempt to charge excessive fares. If possible, require the driver to use the meter. Police will seldom intervene in incidents involving taxi drivers. In Phuket, threats of violence may accompany excessive charges. Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers there have been described in media reports as being a “mafia.” They have organized against attempts to provide alternative services. For instance, they have blockaded van and bus services during U.S. Navy ship visits. (See also the Special Circumstances and Safety and Road Conditions sections.)

When arriving at a Thai airport, you should use only taxis from the airport's official taxi stand, cars from the airport limousine counters, or airport buses. Major hotels also arrange to have a car and driver meet incoming flights. It is uncommon for Thai taxis to pick up additional passengers. You should be wary of drivers seeking to do so, and you should never enter a cab that has someone besides the driver in it.

Scams involving gems, city tours, entertainment venues, and credit cards are common, especially in areas heavily visited by tourists. Taxi drivers and others commonly tout gem stores or entertainment venues. These touts receive kickbacks or commissions that drive up the prices of the goods or services, and you should not accept tours or other offers from them. You should use credit cards only in reputable, established businesses, and you should check the amount you have been charged for accuracy.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) receives over a thousand complaints each year from visitors who have been cheated on gem purchases. Scams usually follow a predictable pattern. Someone approaches you outside of a well-known tourist attraction such as the Grand Palace and says that the attraction is closed. The friendly stranger gains your confidence and suggests a visit to a temple that is supposedly open only one day per year; the stranger then mentions in passing that a special once-a-year government-sponsored gem sale is going on and directs you to a waiting tuk-tuk. At the temple, another stranger -- sometimes a foreigner-- engages you in conversation and also mentions the "special" gem sale. You agree to go look at the gem shop and are soon convinced to buy thousands of dollars worth of jewels that you can supposedly sell in the United States for a 100 percent profit. In fact, the gems turn out to be of much less value than you paid for them, and the shop does not honor its money-back guarantee. No matter what a tout may say, no jewelry stores are owned, operated, or sponsored by the Thai government or by the Thai royal family. You can find the list of gem dealers who have promised to abide by TAT guidelines online at the Buying Gems and Jewellery in Thailand section of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's website.You can find detailed information on gem scams on numerous websites. If you fall victim to a gem scam, you should contact the local branch of the Tourist Police or call their toll-free number: 1155.

Although most bars and entertainment venues operate honestly, some, especially in tourist areas such as Bangkok’s Patpong area, try to charge exorbitant prices for drinks or unadvertised cover charges and then threaten violence if the charges are not paid. If you are victimized in this fashion, you should not attempt to resolve the problem yourself but should instead pay the price demanded and then seek out a nearby Tourist Police officer for help in getting restitution. If no officer is nearby, you can phone the Tourist Police at 1155.

There have been occasional reports of prostitutes or bar workers drugging people with the powerful sedative scopolamine in order to rob them. Tourists have also been victimized by drugged food and drink, usually offered by a friendly stranger who is sometimes posing as a fellow traveler on an overnight bus or train. In addition, casual acquaintances you meet in a bar or on the street may pose a threat. You should not leave drinks or food unattended and should avoid going alone to unfamiliar venues.

Criminals have victimized some foreigners by presenting themselves as police, sometimes wearing police uniforms. After a conspirator lures the foreigner into doing something illegal, the “police officer” appears and threatens to arrest the foreigner unless he or she pays a “bribe” -- which the conspirator helps to negotiate. To protect yourself from such scams, do not engage in activities that would put you in a vulnerable position, such as soliciting sex or purchasing or using illegal drugs. If someone claiming to be a police officer demands money from you, request to pay at the police station.

Well done to them. Trouble is how many people read it.

[bangon04]

I wonder if the guns mentioned are legally registered. If not, the does two wrongs mean a right?! I do hope the gunnies have practiced their skills and the possibility of two jet skii operators ceasing to operate would be welcome to all of the tourists they would have made as victims. Just a thought.

Agreed - sounds like a Phuket could afford to lose a few jetski operators - let them have a big showdown if they really want one - as long as innocent bystanders keep their distance (while filming it).

[BlackJack]

286 jet skis

how many boats

how many other things in the water

WHY?

these noisy, smelly, deadly things shouldnt be in the water at all

BAN them all -

[mortenaa]

I did see a new jet ski on a trailer coming from Rawai towards Chalong. He then pulled into the same petrol station 15 minutes later and indeed it was an expat.

Did it even occur to you it might be a private owned, totally legal, recreational jet ski?

[MILT]

The foreign owner is reportedly "Big" Chong Hung. He has heavy connections in both Hong Kong and the Sino-Thai community. He cannot be touched.

His local nemesis "Long" Duck Dong is apparently quite violent as well.

Time to call Steven Sea Gull

[fiddlehead]

I did see a new jet ski on a trailer coming from Rawai towards Chalong. He then pulled into the same petrol station 15 minutes later and indeed it was an expat.

Did it even occur to you it might be a private owned, totally legal, recreational jet ski?

Jet skis are like a mosquito to me.

I don't care who owns them.

I'd tell my brother to get rid of the dam_n thing if it was his.

They are a nuisance and all too often ruin the swimming experience in any area where they are buzzing around.

Not sure, but I think when they say no jet skis at Rawai or Nai Harn or Ya Nui beaches, they meant "none"

Not that they ever enforce anything.

[MILT]

Aside from the negative human experience of some, JetSkis are pretty awesome to ride. I find it quite enjoyable.

Have always had a great experience, never been over charged or accused of damage. Am I just lucky? I vote to keep em around and see better control on safety and inspecting the jetski for damage before taking it out. Pretty simple really

[belg]

if there is really a club, why not send victims of the scams to the president to deal with it, ah yeah, forgot, club of maffia

[fred110]

farang is probably from an foreign mafia if he's still around.. hopefully he teaches some thai rats how real mafias work when this goes sour.

Russia???

[osiboy]

The US should issue their travel warning about Phuket. Everybody should write the us embassy and recommend this. Terrible things happen to foreigners EVERDAY there.

if the crime rate was'nt so high in the US they would have the moral high ground,.........unfortunately , they dont , .....pot,kettle,black,stones n'glass houses !!

[ToffeEFCpower]

The foreign owner is reportedly "Big" Chong Hung. He has heavy connections in both Hong Kong and the Sino-Thai community. He cannot be touched.

His local nemesis "Long" Duck Dong is apparently quite violent as well.

And stay away from that other baddie "Wan Hung Low"

[dartvidar]

One of the big problems is you need Thai Captain license to drive Jet ski / water jet in Thailand. So the people who rent out this water jets promote you to pay them money for breach the Thai law. They should be punish for promoting people to break thai law. All water jet rentals should be baned, only private water jets allowed with a driver with the proper paper. In my country water jets was baned by goverment just over the night. Why cant they do the same here?

[MrMonk]

It is quite possible that the people controlling the jet ski scams in phuket are the same as the ones in pattaya because these people must have very good contacts that stand over other authorities and maybe connected to certain agencies.

[Colabamumbai]

I suggest Alcatraz style prisons for armed jet ski dealers.

[janverbeem]

The US should issue their travel warning about Phuket. Everybody should write the us embassy and recommend this. Terrible things happen to foreigners EVERDAY there.

But then they will be marching on the U.S Embassy complaing, It's not nice and not playing fair if you warn your citizens of the leaches and scammers waiting for you when you arrive.

Now that would make sense,a march from phuket to babgkok.

Any takers?

[timewilltell]

Phuket is now just out of control. No one gives a monkeys about the blatant grip of the mafia on the island. These low class scum have ruined the island and do exactly as their whim takes them. There is no law except its application to foreigners. He court system is totally ineffective any anyway subject to bribery. The police are part of the mafia as are many of the lawyers. No one gives a dam_n because their little life has not yet been on the wrong side of things. Many find even trying to keep a low profile that the evil people will seek them out to scam something. You cannot even park your car in Patong without some slug telling you he is working there so you cannot park, meaning it's his personal parking space. Let me ask if the police and lawyers are in league with the low life's that run the place and you are in a problem then who ate Y O U going to turn to for a resolution.

Phuket is an island of crime allowed to run loose with no control from Bangkok despite the brazen and obvious problems presented there on a day basis.

It is absolutely unsuitable for a holiday or to retire to, it really isn't safe nor is there any rule of law there and it really is this bad. If you have not been had yet then good luck to you because many are not so lucky.

[PoodMaiDai]

Sounds like a solution to me and not a problem. Let them start something with the Russian Mob and see how it turns out for JJ and the boys.

I don't know how people can live around dirt bags like this. Pattaya, Phuket and parts of Samui... you can have them. Those places all attract bad people, both foreign and local.

[PoodMaiDai]

There is only one solution, get rid of them. They are destroying the image of Thailand and it's people. Kill em' al, let god sort them out!

There is truth to what you say. Thais only respond to force and violence. Logic and reasoning doesn't work with them. The best you can do is kill anyone who is making problems for you, otherwise they just may kill you.

[bkk_mike]

219 + 70 = 289

yet they then say there's 286 legally there.

Or are these 3 included in the 289?

[timewilltell]

Phuket is now just out of control. No one gives a monkeys about the blatant grip of the mafia on the island. These low class scum have ruined the island and do exactly as their whim takes them. There is no law except its application to foreigners. He court system is totally ineffective any anyway subject to bribery. The police are part of the mafia as are many of the lawyers. No one gives a dam_n because their little life has not yet been on the wrong side of things. Many find even trying to keep a low profile that the evil people will seek them out to scam something. You cannot even park your car in Patong without some slug telling you he is working there so you cannot park, meaning it's his personal parking space.

Let me ask if the police and lawyers are in league with the low life's that run the place and you are forced into a problem then who ate Y O U going to turn to for a resolution. There is no one to help. Certainly not your fellow expats who are busy trying to keep their heads well below the parapet nor nearly all Thais who basically have no time for farang who are just fodder to feed the pigs. You may as well just give up and pay up because you will see no justice unless you are very lucky.

Phuket is an island of crime allowed to run loose with no control from Bangkok despite the brazen and obvious problems presented there on a day basis.

It is absolutely unsuitable for a holiday or to retire to, it really isn't safe nor is there any rule of law there and it really is this bad. If you have not been had yet then good luck to you because many are not so lucky.

Please Bangkok you have lost a son in Kn Ae, he was one of yours. Can you show the world the Metle of the Thai spirit and make Phuket the anti-corruption hub of Asia and give law abiding moral and honest people living there a hope of a good life. Those hopes are being rapidly destroyed. Does the level of murder and deaths not disturb? Doesnt the blatant misappropriation of the forestry land and land belonging to the country by people who care less for Thailand than many foreigners who live here, sicken your stomachs? Is there nothing you can do to prevent the spread of the cancerous greed that is corruption?

I sure Kn Yingluk will say she was unaware but then that would be par for the course. Come on Thailand have some honour and protect your reputation after all it is all face here isn't it?

[janverbeem]

219 + 70 = 289

yet they then say there's 286 legally there.

Or are these 3 included in the 289?

That's what I saw also when I first read the OP.

Probably they discovered too late that under the 70 illegal were 3 foreign owned one.So they are now declared illegal-illegal.

[pacovl46]

it's also against the "agreement" to f..king rip off tourists. how about changing that???!!!

[oldsailor35]

farang is probably from an foreign mafia if he's still around.. hopefully he teaches some thai rats how real mafias work when this goes sour.

Yep, they did mention that guns are coming out. Perhaps these local bullies will meet their match with foriegn mafia. Let em shoot each other for all i care.

[zaZa9]

The foreign owner is reportedly "Big" Chong Hung. He has heavy connections in both Hong Kong and the Sino-Thai community. He cannot be touched.

His local nemesis "Long" Duck Dong is apparently quite violent as well.

I call him 'Long Dong' for short....

Long Dongs better than Big Hung....555

Edited January 28, 2012 by zaZa9

[oldsailor35]

Sounds like a solution to me and not a problem. Let them start something with the Russian Mob and see how it turns out for JJ and the boys.

I don't know how people can live around dirt bags like this. Pattaya, Phuket and parts of Samui... you can have them. Those places all attract bad people, both foreign and local.

Tell me the "parts" of Samui, i have yet to find them