Phuket jet-ski intimidation 'has not gone away' – Aus Hon Consul

[asdecas]

Whatever the truth of the situation, it is brave and perhaps foolhardy of these honorary consuls to speak out; not only because of the potential threat to their persons but also because such outspokenness is certainly not the way that the diplomatic corps is expected to behave. However, I wish them good luck in their ongoing campaign, though experience teaches that almost certainly nothing will really change.

[Songhua]

Storm in a teacup regarding any reactions to his comments! The bigger picture is in focus here, for once

He's certainly not mincing words. 'Fed up, had it up to the back teeth with the pussy-footing around' comes to mind.

Just a question not only for yourself but others on here, do you think that the Thai Authorities will bring pressure on him to keep his mouth shut? TAT would probably despise the man and be glad to see the rear end of him. He has been pushing this issue for years and I say good on him but I do have some concerns that Thailand may just get fed up and say, revoke his work visa and kick him out of the country. He is not a diplomat so not protected in that way.

I imagine if the TAT, governor or anyone else were to take exception to his comments, the correct avenue for them would be through the Ambassador.

Who knows what the Ambassador's reaction would be but, considering a gaggle of them have even found it necessary to venture down to Phuket themselves, and that Larry is simply pointing out that promises have not been kept, Larry should be fully supported by South Sathorn IMO.

Really, all he's doing is saying, 'we've asked nicely - where's the action you promised us?'. An Ambassador in their right mind should repeat exactly what Larry's said in reply to any complaint - albeit in more diplo-speak.

(ambassadors don't usually say crock of sh!t).

Edited August 23, 2013 by Songhua

[Larry001]

As said many times, the Thais will only realize when its too late and their country loses tourism to Cambodia and others

[Emdog]

Good on ya Larry! After so much bs from ambassadors on down, such a breath of reality! I love Australians! (I am American, btw.... our ambassador was such a clueless ... what's the word?)

[FireMedic]

I just wish everyone understood that only foreign media is the way to go with these issues. And the reporter is 100% correct. There are no more reports taken at the police station. All deals are negotiated on the beach with officer "supervision" and no written reports are ever made. Same amount of scamming, just under reported. Maitree is just working the numbers given to him.

[unanimosity]

Educate and warn people not to use them... before they go to thailand

Absolutely right, boycott the scammers completely.

[eezergood]

Educate and warn people not to use them... before they go to thailand

Absolutely right, boycott the scammers completely.

I always tell my guests to google the JJ video before renting!

[Tchooptip]

Let's get some cams up at those locations. For permanent visual access to the areas with the most problem. Maybe it would be a deterrent to the thugs.

The problem is the cams would'nt lived long

[tingtongteesood]

Leave it to the so called 'evil foreigner' to speak the truth. Thai people have to change their damn attitudes, they think that whatever Thai people do is perfectly good and it's always the evil 'falang's' fault....

[jocko]

Educate and warn people not to use them... before they go to thailand

Absolutely right, boycott the scammers completely.

I always tell my guests to google the JJ video before renting!

A sensible move but you have personnel contact with your guests and want them to have a good and safe holiday you can help a small amount of people the problem is big tour groups catering for the Chinese,Russians. Asians, probable dont for fear of upsetting the Mafia as you know many Tourists just arrive with blindfolds on and have no idea what to look for so there will always be customers for the bandits .

The ball is in the governments court and we are still playing extra time.

[lee b]

This will not stop, toooo much cash involved

[Halion]

Bloody well done Mr Larry. It is so refreshing when you hear about a member of a foreign embassy speaking straight and strong. Should other foreign consulates follow his lead I am sure it would go far in improving the quality of life in this country for both locals and foreigners alike.

Sadly our British official has adopted the shrinking violet syndrome which typifies the British Foreign Office current protocols.

Perhaps the BHC Martin Carpenter and his cohorts should familiarize himself with the British Government position on this country in 1945.

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing. (Edmund Burke)

[eezergood]

I bet i cam walk down Patong beach now & find a settlement taking place!

[wwex]

I just wish everyone understood that only foreign media is the way to go with these issues. And the reporter is 100% correct. There are no more reports taken at the police station. All deals are negotiated on the beach with officer "supervision" and no written reports are ever made. Same amount of scamming, just under reported. Maitree is just working the numbers given to him.

this is how they do it in Pattaya as well, the scams always happen at the same time and the police are always there waiting. I think the reason the scams arent stopping is because this money goes a long way up the chain

[Mr Brown]

Storm in a teacup regarding any reactions to his comments! The bigger picture is in focus here, for once

He's certainly not mincing words. 'Fed up, had it up to the back teeth with the pussy-footing around' comes to mind.

Just a question not only for yourself but others on here, do you think that the Thai Authorities will bring pressure on him to keep his mouth shut? TAT would probably despise the man and be glad to see the rear end of him. He has been pushing this issue for years and I say good on him but I do have some concerns that Thailand may just get fed up and say, revoke his work visa and kick him out of the country. He is not a diplomat so not protected in that way.

The Hon Consul Mr Cunningham would hold an Australian Government issued 'Official Passport' and that would cover him under the international Diplomatic Immunities Treaty. He is not a diplomat but he is acting as an Australian Government Official abroad.

[eezergood]

Whatever protocol may or may not have been breached, he called it as it is!

[gamini]

Nothing has changed. I remember well 40 years ago we had exactly the same problem with jet skis in Pattaya. Only they were not driven by jets but by outboard motors. Hotel owners and everyone complained about them. Highly placed vested interests control everything in Pattaya then and also to-day.

[dudu]

Storm in a teacup regarding any reactions to his comments! The bigger picture is in focus here, for once

He's certainly not mincing words. 'Fed up, had it up to the back teeth with the pussy-footing around' comes to mind.

Just a question not only for yourself but others on here, do you think that the Thai Authorities will bring pressure on him to keep his mouth shut? TAT would probably despise the man and be glad to see the rear end of him. He has been pushing this issue for years and I say good on him but I do have some concerns that Thailand may just get fed up and say, revoke his work visa and kick him out of the country. He is not a diplomat so not protected in that way.

The Hon Consul Mr Cunningham would hold an Australian Government issued 'Official Passport' and that would cover him under the international Diplomatic Immunities Treaty. He is not a diplomat but he is acting as an Australian Government Official abroad.

Which of course means absolutely nothing if they want you out...

[chooka]

Storm in a teacup regarding any reactions to his comments! The bigger picture is in focus here, for once

He's certainly not mincing words. 'Fed up, had it up to the back teeth with the pussy-footing around' comes to mind.

Just a question not only for yourself but others on here, do you think that the Thai Authorities will bring pressure on him to keep his mouth shut? TAT would probably despise the man and be glad to see the rear end of him. He has been pushing this issue for years and I say good on him but I do have some concerns that Thailand may just get fed up and say, revoke his work visa and kick him out of the country. He is not a diplomat so not protected in that way.

The Hon Consul Mr Cunningham would hold an Australian Government issued 'Official Passport' and that would cover him under the international Diplomatic Immunities Treaty. He is not a diplomat but he is acting as an Australian Government Official abroad.

So would that be the same for the Hon Consul in Chiangmai, a Thai woman Jinda Charoen?

[jackspratt]

.

So would that be the same for the Hon Consul in Chiangmai, a Thai woman Jinda Charoen?

The Australian consul in Chiang Mai is an Australian businessman, Mr Michael Walther.

My understanding is that the name of his business, or the address of his business, is Jinda Charoen Konsong. The consulate operates from his business premises.

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=3583

http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy15716/

This has previously been pointed out in a different thread.

[marell]

This governor is proving more and more that he has no clue what is happening on the island. Just let the DSI do their work and move out of the way.

Exactly

I don't know. It's entirely possible the powers that be know exactly what's going on. The jet ski boys complain that with all the negative publicity they're having a harder time meeting the amount of money they have to kick upstairs every month. So...those in power do their end of the job and make public fanfare on how much better things are getting. "No need for concern everyone...no problem here. Let's forget all this silly griping and get back to normal."

[QualityTouristNumberOne]

best way to deal with JJ and his ilk.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/203/f2zv.jpg/

[chooka]

best way to deal with JJ and his ilk.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/203/f2zv.jpg/

JJ is real scum and I am sure everyone has seen the video where he brings out the firearm during negotiations.

[maximillian]

Never used jet ski in Thailand and I couldn't care less when a person who is stupid enough to do so gets cheated by the scammers.

Yet, the beaches would be more attractive and safer for the majority of visitors without those noisy machines.

[LivinginKata]

Off topic and inflammatory post removed.

[NamKangMan]

Never used jet ski in Thailand and I couldn't care less when a person who is stupid enough to do so gets cheated by the scammers.

Yet, the beaches would be more attractive and safer for the majority of visitors without those noisy machines.

Of course, you have never been overcharged or scammed here, even for a few baht, have you? :)

Many tourist come from countries where they have never even seen a jet-ski, or knew what one was. Eg. no jet-skis on The Ganges River in India

[jpeg]

Educate and warn people not to use them... before they go to thailand

Think you'll find it very difficult attempting to 'educate' the morons who rent these loud, noxious, environmentally unfriendly, ILLEGAL (allegedly) machines anyway. They're here on holiday Godammit! And They WILL do whatever they please, whomsoever they piss off/which soever marine life they disturb.

Selfishness and imbecility are not the sole preserve of the Thais.

[jackspratt]

.

Think you'll find it very difficult attempting to 'educate' the morons who rent these loud, noxious, environmentally unfriendly, ILLEGAL (allegedly) machines anyway. They're here on holiday Godammit! And They WILL do whatever they please, whomsoever they piss off/which soever marine life they disturb.

Selfishness and imbecility are not the sole preserve of the Thais.

Clearly not.

[eezergood]

Saw several Thais surrounding a caucasion guy Sunday on Patong beach - was drving with my family so not able to stop, even if I were allowed to park in the public parking spaces, but it didnt look like a friendly chat!

Edited August 27, 2013 by eezergood

[andreandre]

Storm in a teacup regarding any reactions to his comments! The bigger picture is in focus here, for once

Yes...except this repercussion.??

Interesting news on PW...apparently Mr Cunningham was called to mediate a jetski problem with an Aussie at Karon Beach and received an SMS from an official, one..Siriporn Tantiphanyatep, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs basically telling him..;

That he should thank the governor instead of just making complaints all the times.

Also that its not wise to always say bad things about Phuket whilst he is still living and doing his business in Phuket

The message was sent by Siriporn Tantiphanyatep, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Phuket Office.

Could lead to a major flare up IMO..