Tourist Police Commander Targets Phuket Jet-Ski Rip-Offs

[george]

Tourist Police Commander targets Phuket jet-ski rip-offs

PHUKET: -- A complaint by a senior Chinese consulate official has prompted Tourist Police Commander Roy Ingpairoj to visit Phuket in person to investigate unscrupulous jet-ski operators at Patong Beach.

The visit followed Qin Jian, Vice Consul of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China, in Songkhla, filing a complaint to the Phuket Damrongtham Center (provincial ombudsman’s office) about Chinese tourists being scammed by jet-ski operators.

In the complaint, Mr Qin relayed concerns from Chinese tourists that jet-ski operators were outrageously overcharging for repairs to damaged jet-skis.

Nucha Petchvimol, deputy president of the Phuket Jet-Ski Association, explained to the general, “The jet-skis suffer extensive damage in accidents. Anytime an accident happens, we have three different repair specialists provide estimates of how much the repairs will cost in front of the tourists who were involved in the accident.

“The insurance company will pay for damages up to 50,000 baht, but if the repairs cost more than that, the tourists must pay the rest,” Mr Nucha said.

“This is about the insurance coverage. We are not asking for any money from the tourists,” he added.

Mr Nucha defended the practices of local jet-ski operators.

“We instruct every tourist how to ride a jet-ski, what to do if an accident occurs, and what insurance coverage there is. Every time the tourist must sign the rental agreement to accept that they understand the conditions,” he said.

The operators have instruction leaflets, with images, written in Thai, English and Russian – but not Chinese. “We are working on the Chinese version,” he told the Phuket Gazette.

“However [a recent case] is now finished. The Chinese tourists have already paid the 100,000 baht for damages,” he added.

Mr Nucha explained that in the accident that sparked the complaint, the jet-ski was damaged beyond repair.

“The jet-ski struck a yacht. The damage was so bad that the jet-ski can longer be used. The operator will have to buy new one,” he said.

Satisfied with the explanation, Maj Gen Roy said, “The jet-ski operators provide a good service to tourists. Instructions are handed out to every tourist who rents one. However, I suggested they add Chinese to the instruction leaflets. It would be very helpful to prevent any misunderstandings.”

Gen Roy and his team of officers then continued their tour of Patong Beach, handing out tourist information leaflets as they strolled along the sand.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Tourist-Police-chief-targets-Phuket-jet-ski-rip-offs-20527.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-03-16

[transam]

So it took the Chinese for action to be taken. THAT is worth noting.

[kurnell]

Nobody can tell a straight faced lie quite like a Thai cop

[I Like Thai]

So it took the Chinese for action to be taken. THAT is worth noting.

What action was taken ?

[edwinchester]

So it took the Chinese for action to be taken. THAT is worth noting.

What action was taken ?

Other than translating the rental agreement into Chinese absolutely SFA.

[transam]

So it took the Chinese for action to be taken. THAT is worth noting.

What action was taken ?

Well it's in the news eh.

[oldsailor35]

There ya go ! i knew the jet ski operators were really just nice honest business people and much misunderstood.

[ThaidDown]

So, Big Cheese BIB gets explanation from Jet Ski association deputy pres. Agrees with him and accepts same. All without falling about laughing.

Then

Gen Roy and his team of officers then continued their tour of Patong Beach, handing out tourist information leaflets as they strolled along the sand.

Ah the stroll along the sand, so the day was not wasted after all.

[asdecas]

It's April 1st, right?....right??

[andygunther]

I don't understand why people keep renting them, after all this problems....

After everything I've read and heard, I would never hire a jetski

Edited March 16, 2013 by andygunther

[kingstonkid]

Simple solution. All governments put out the warning to all tourists that Phuket is a dangerous place to go. Just like south Thailand.

Could you imagine what would happen to all these operators. Or why not let people set up jet ski operations that are not part of the mafia

[Jimi007]

What a load of BS! According to Yamaha a new jet ski is between $9k to $16K USD. http://www.yamahawaverunners.com

The owner of the jet ski that was wrecked in the accident with the yacht asked initially for ฿300,000 and settled for ฿100,000, which is almost $30,000 USD. Still a scam and always a scam, now justified by the head of the tourist police. Just as the over the top taxi and tuk tuk fares have been legitimized by the local government. But I also read that Bangkok is sending a team to take a look at all coastal property titles here. Hopefully some big heads will roll, but somehow I doubt it if the past is any indication of the future greed and corruption.

[Jimbo]

100k thb is around 3k usd, not 30 k usd

[JCauto]

What a load of BS! According to Yamaha a new jet ski is between $9k to $16K USD. http://www.yamahawaverunners.com

The owner of the jet ski that was wrecked in the accident with the yacht asked initially for ฿300,000 and settled for ฿100,000, which is almost $30,000 USD. Still a scam and always a scam, now justified by the head of the tourist police. Just as the over the top taxi and tuk tuk fares have been legitimized by the local government. But I also read that Bangkok is sending a team to take a look at all coastal property titles here. Hopefully some big heads will roll, but somehow I doubt it if the past is any indication of the future greed and corruption.

I believe you've added a zero...it's closer to $3,000. But a ripoff no doubt.

[ggold]

What a load of BS! According to Yamaha a new jet ski is between $9k to $16K USD. http://www.yamahawaverunners.com

The owner of the jet ski that was wrecked in the accident with the yacht asked initially for ฿300,000 and settled for ฿100,000, which is almost $30,000 USD. Still a scam and always a scam, now justified by the head of the tourist police. Just as the over the top taxi and tuk tuk fares have been legitimized by the local government. But I also read that Bangkok is sending a team to take a look at all coastal property titles here. Hopefully some big heads will roll, but somehow I doubt it if the past is any indication of the future greed and corruption.

Glad to see you know you're maths! 100,000 baht is actually about 3000 dollars not 30,000

[belg]

in many countries you need a licence to drive a jetski ... same for "big" motorcycles, so why people seem to think here, they can drive something they never did before without problems, plus the ripp-off maffia involved... should say enough not to use the "services" if you do not want a very bad turn to your holliday budget

[jamhar]

Wait, let me feel the ground

Yep, cold to the touch

Its Official

HELL FROZE OVER!

[lorbhaim]

LOL.

I still recommend any one I know to clear away from this kind of tourist "atractions"....

[TackyToo]

"Mr Nucha defended the practices of local jet-ski operators" ...and walked away on the surface of the ocean without getting his feet wet.

[rattler]

So it took the Chinese for action to be taken. THAT is worth noting.

What action was taken ?

Lunch!!

[Judo Chop]

What a load of BS! According to Yamaha a new jet ski is between $9k to $16K USD. http://www.yamahawaverunners.com

The owner of the jet ski that was wrecked in the accident with the yacht asked initially for ฿300,000 and settled for ฿100,000, which is almost $30,000 USD. Still a scam and always a scam, now justified by the head of the tourist police. Just as the over the top taxi and tuk tuk fares have been legitimized by the local government. But I also read that Bangkok is sending a team to take a look at all coastal property titles here. Hopefully some big heads will roll, but somehow I doubt it if the past is any indication of the future greed and corruption.

Glad to see you know you're maths! 100,000 baht is actually about 3000 dollars not 30,000

Glad to see you read all the replies. This error was pointed out many posts ago.

We all make mistakes. Chill.

[Jimi007]

What a load of BS! According to Yamaha a new jet ski is between $9k to $16K USD. http://www.yamahawaverunners.com

The owner of the jet ski that was wrecked in the accident with the yacht asked initially for ฿300,000 and settled for ฿100,000, which is almost $30,000 USD. Still a scam and always a scam, now justified by the head of the tourist police. Just as the over the top taxi and tuk tuk fares have been legitimized by the local government. But I also read that Bangkok is sending a team to take a look at all coastal property titles here. Hopefully some big heads will roll, but somehow I doubt it if the past is any indication of the future greed and corruption.

I believe you've added a zero...it's closer to $3,000. But a ripoff no doubt.

You're right. I do misplace a decimal point on occasion.

[Judo Chop]

"We are working on the Chinese version"

He forgot to add the words 'very slowly' after 'working'.

Plenty more Chinese to scam in the meantime.

[deecee10]

The headline reads 'Tourist Police Commander Targets Phuket Jet-Ski Rip-Offs'.

Where is this followed up in the article?

[Jimi007]

The headline reads 'Tourist Police Commander Targets Phuket Jet-Ski Rip-Offs'.

Where is this followed up in the article?

He was satisfied with what the jet ski boys had to say. So, no problem.

[Loptr]

How do you say "Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand" in Mandarin?

[joboss]

"Mr Nucha defended the practices of local jet-ski operators" ...and walked away on the surface of the ocean without getting his feet wet.

I've heard of this before... Is he Elvis ?

[Loptr]

in many countries you need a licence to drive a jetski ... same for "big" motorcycles, so why people seem to think here, they can drive something they never did before without problems, plus the ripp-off maffia involved... should say enough not to use the "services" if you do not want a very bad turn to your holliday budget

Hmm, news to me. Can you name one country that requires a license to ride a jet ski?

[Payboy]

Maj Gen Roy said, “The jet-ski operators provide a good service to tourists.

This guy deserves a promotion.

[gentlebreeze]

I wonder how much of the insurance the police will get??? Pure and clear scam!

Edited March 16, 2013 by gentlebreeze