Aus Hon Con in tense talks over Phuket jet-ski incident
Jody Houton


Larry Cunningham at Karon Police Station

PHUKET: -- A few hours after Thursday's seminar (August 29) to make jet-ski operators ‘brand ambassadors’ for Phuket, there was the latest in a long line of jet-ski ‘incidents’, this time involving an Australian tourist on Karon beach.

The young Australian, known only as “Dean”, had rented a jet-ski, taking it out from Karon beach and managed to overturn it when hit by a big wave. Pretty standard. However what happened next was far from that.

Australian Honorary Consul Larry Cunningham – who, upon hearing about the incident, volunteered to act as liaison and mediator for the lad – said, “A jet-ski boy then apparently ran into the water, whacked him and dragged him to the police station.”

Mr Cunningham was speaking to The Phuket News at Karon Police Station this morning where he was waiting to attend a meeting, set up the previous night, between the Australian boy, Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut and the Head of the Marine Department.

As far as Mr Cunningham was concerned, issues of payment, insurance, violence and blame were to be discussed then.

However, a little after 10am Mr Cunningham learned that the issue had already been resolved and the boy had paid B16,000 late last night, without his knowledge.

“When I spoke to him at about 10pm last night, he had not paid any money and I told him not to do it. He also told me that the police had kept his passport, which is illegal for them to do.”

In response to Mr Cunningham’s query as to where everybody was, he received an SMS from Siriporn Tantiphanyatep, the Director of the Phuket Passport Office, and the official he had been liaising with the previous night. It read:

“The Australian boy paid only 16,000 and has been released because the governor will pay the balance for him for the engine damaged as the boy made jet-ski sunk to the ground [sea bed], which is not covered by insurance. He (and you too) should thank the governor instead of just making complaints all the times.”

Also in the SMS message, Mrs Siriporn said, “And it is not wise to always say bad things about Phuket while you are still living and doing your business in this city.”

Mr Cunningham subsequently forwarded the SMS to the Australian Ambassador who, he told The Phuket News, is furious about what he perceives as very much a threatening message ordering Mt Cunningham to “butt out”.

The jet-ski owner, Sompoch Kukkno, had also turned up at Karon police station this morning and was wondering what to do next. Police officers were then informed that the governor had requested a meeting with the jet-ski owner at Phuket Provincial Hall.

As Mr Cunningham was also there, he decided that it might be an opportune moment to thank the governor – as the SMS requested.

Unfortunately, when Mr Cunningham arrived at the Phuket Provincial Hall, he was informed by Mrs Sirirpon that Gov Maitree was not available and couldn’t attend the meeting. She also asked him what he was doing there.

Mr Cunningham said that he had come, as requested by the earlier SMS, to thank the governor for his intervention and for agreeing to pay any outstanding balance.

Mrs Siripon took the opportunity to tell the well-known outspoken Australian Consul that his previous “negative” comments about jet-skis, tuk tuks and other issues were harmful to Thailand and Phuket.

It was at that point that Mr Cunningham asked about the SMS that he had received earlier. He said he planned to send it on to the Australian ambassador.

Mrs Sirirporn replied that that was “fine”. She then said she was unsure when exactly the Governor would be able available, and wondered therefore why Mr Cunningham was “still here”. It was not clear when, in using the word “here” she was referring to the meeting room or to Thailand in general.

Mr Cunningham then enquired why the police had kept the boy’s passport and why they frequently appeared to act as negotiators on behalf of jet-ski operators.

A representative from Karon Police station explained that it was standard practice to request the passport in order to make a copy, and that after the negotiation was complete, the passport was returned to the young Australian.

Mr Cunningham asked who had hit the young Australian. The jet-ski owner said that “the operator” had merely tried to prevent the Australian from leaving. When the consul asked who the operator was, Mrs Siriporn, who was translating, did not relay the question to Mr Sompoch. “I don’t know,” she said.

The issue of payment came up, in particular why the Australian lad had initially been asked to pay so much – B40,000 – and why damage to the jet-ski from sinking was not covered by the insurance company.

“It seems to me,” said Mr Cunningham, “that jet-skis overturning must be quite a common hazard.” It was for this reason that he suggested that the jet-ski operators need to take out better insurance with more effective coverage.

“The Australian Embassy would prefer that the jet-ski operators charge customers B5,000 for half an hour in order to afford proper insurance cover and prevent this kind of situation.”

Mrs Siriporn said that she would convey Mr Cunningham’s suggestions to the Governor.

At this point, Mr Cunningham left. A few minutes later the Governor arrived, along with Phuriphat Teerakulpisut, Chief of Marine Department, and the meeting between the jet-ski owner and the government officials resumed.

Insurance papers, along with photos of the jet-ski damage were examined and Mr Phuriphat said that in fact there was no need for Gov Maitree to pay any money.

It seems, however, that the insurance – and this is well known – pays up only when a jet-ski is involved in a collision, and not when it sinks without a collision.

But Walter “Wal” Brown, founder and coordinator of the Region 8 Tourist Police Volunteers, who was also involved in last night’s negotiations, believes that even the B16,000 that the Australian paid was too much.

“Such damage as happens when the jet-ski sinks for a few minutes [as in this case] can be fixed easily and cheaply for a maximum of B5,000.”

Today’s meeting at Provincial Hall was palpably tense, and the failure to inform Mr Cunningham of last night’s resolution of the dispute, along with the SMS from Mrs Siriporn, seems to suggest that the provincial authorities believe the involvement of the Australian Consul is not required in such issues and that the Phuket authorities were apparently already ‘on it’ and protecting and assisting foreign visitors.

Mr Cunningham later told The Phuket News that he was “relatively happy” with the resolution, but said that, again, he believed that if it hadn’t been for the intervention of Wal Brown and himself, another Australian citizen would most likely have been “shaken down” and forced to pay extortionate amounts to one of Phuket’s jet-ski operators.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/aus-hon-con-in-tense-talks-over-phuket-jet-ski-incident-41660.php#news-alert


-- Phuket News 2013-08-31

The actions of the Governors office seem to suggest that the office is at the least indirectly involved in the jet ski scam.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Unbelievable, the blatant coercion between the jetski mafia and the Phuket government is an embarrassment to Thailand and should be dealt with severely. All under the watch of the DSI, shamefull.

I'd consider that text a thinly veiled threat.

Just goes to show the system is rotten all the way to the core.

I'd consider that text a thinly veiled threat.

Just goes to show the system is rotten all the way to the core.

Nobody who has read this article should have any further question about how the system works in Thailand.

It's right there in a black and white nutshell. - kneel to the phuyai, blame the accuser.

Interesting... The consul reporting the situation is what makes Phuket and Thailand look bad... Not the fact that these thing actually occurred

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

He is pushing his luck. Having a business there and being critical of the Mafia. Accidents happen here!

Bravo to Mr. Cunningham. It's nice to see somebody speaking the truth, and standing up to this incredibly corrupt system.

Well there you go, they hit a six from medium pace bowler, Australia,your turn to bat...

Unbelievable, the blatant coercion between the jetski mafia and the Phuket government is an embarrassment to Thailand and should be dealt with severely. All under the watch of the DSI, shamefull.

Just don't hold your breath for any changes to the status quo.

The authorities in the realm don't seem to realize (nor do they appear to care) just how much negative publicity is being generated and published right around the world about Thailand and Thai related issues.

Oh well!, I don't really give a shyt either.

While Mr Cunningham shows admirable commitment to fair dos for tourists, he's pushing his luck as an amateur diplomat, particularly if he has business interests on the island.

A far better approach, instead of these endless meetings which are largely cosmetic and play only to the bad guys' tune, would be an advisory from as many embassies as may wish to sign up to it, to the effect that it is strongly advised that citizens do not hire jet skis under present circumstances.

Every country should make it law, for travel agents selling any country with repeated scams.to advise the traveller of the risks and not to get involved in certain kinds of activities, i know every country has a page warning about this and that,but truthfully, not many tourists look at them.

u know the rules never get between a thai and his income..555

He did well, but also he did his job so we don't go overboard with praise.

Are there people knowledged about jet skis who know what kind of damage a submerged jet ski incurs? Surely a watercraft like this is designed to withstand a dunking?

Stop going to Phuket. Everybody should know this is the status quo.

A consular person being threatened by local government officials. Insane.

Are there people knowledged about jet skis who know what kind of damage a submerged jet ski incurs? Surely a watercraft like this is designed to withstand a dunking?

You are applying reason and logic. Tsk tsk.

Are there people knowledged about jet skis who know what kind of damage a submerged jet ski incurs? Surely a watercraft like this is designed to withstand a dunking?

You are applying reason and logic. Tsk tsk.

Well we do have the tourist policeman state that it should be no more than 5000.

So this lad was assaulted and asked to pay 8 times the fair price under duress. Fair(er) result only achieved after intervention from consul.

No problems here!

I really have no idea how these guys scan get away with renting jet skis during the low season when waves are high, dangerous currents are present and red flags are flying on the beach.

Actually, I can guess how they can get away with it but it seriously should not not be allowed.

And while on the subject, perhaps they should be banned in high season as well!

New song for Phuket

10CC - DREADLOCK HOLIDAY

Writer(s):STEWART, ERIC/GOULDMAN, GRAHAM
Album: Track 1 on Bloody Tourists

Modified version:

I was walkin' down the street

Concentratin' on truckin' left
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked round in a state of fright
I saw four faces one mad
A brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit
And turned to each other

I say
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it
I don't like Phuket no no
I love it
Don't you walk thru my road
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk thru my road
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet

Well he looked down at my silver chain
He said I'll give you one dollar
I said You've got to be jokin' man
It was a present from me Mother
He said I like it I want it
I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You'd better understand that you're alone
A long way from home

And I say
I don't like Phuket no no
I love it
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk thru my road
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet

I hurried back to the swimming pool
Sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
Would you like something harder
She said I've got it you want it
My harvest is the best
And if you try it you'll like it
And wallow in a dreadlock holiday

And I say
Don't like Phuket oh no
I love her
Don't like Phuket oh no
I love her oh yea
Don't you walk through her road
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk thru her road
'Cause you ain't heard her out yet

I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it (Dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it (Dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love her (Dreadlock holiday)

There are so many things wrong with this incident I don't even know where to start. I really can't see gov't officials in any civilised countries threatening a citizen and telling them not to "talk bad" about a country except maybe North Korea. What about the police "releasing" the Australian boy and keeping his passport for a "photo copy" and only releasing upon payment. This is of course illegal.

In most countries, this gov't official that threatened someone would seriously be reprimanded, if not sacked. I doubt anything will happen here except for her to backtrack and say that what she said was taken the wrong way.

Larry Cuningham has a spine, unlike the Australian Embassy in Bangkok which are pathetic and run by Thais that side with Thais when there is ever an issue.

The whole thing is a scam from beginning to end going right to the top of government in Phuket, so Mr. Cunningham is a brave man.

Until Western governments such as Australia really publicise this problem and actively dissuade their citizens from going to Phuket then nothing much will happen.

Stop going to Phuket. Everybody should know this is the status quo.

A consular person being threatened by local government officials. Insane.

A scared dog's only defence is to bite.

There's the answer loud and clear.

We don't like foreigners here, we don't want foreigners here, EXCEPT for as long as we can screw them over and then send them home as soon as possible afterwards.

Oh, and please stop making a fuss, it's making us look bad in the press.

Stop going to Phuket. Everybody should know this is the status quo.

A consular person being threatened by local government officials. Insane.

A scared dog's only defence is to bite.

An interesting comment.

I suppose someone has to explain to someone why "takings" and "tea money" are down on Phuket. That's how mafia works. The money goes up the chain of command.

Not all can be blamed on "low season."

It might be possible the scams, rip offs, extortion, crime etc increases sharply here in the near future in order to maintain the regular monthly payments, or, some may risk "punishment" from their boss.

Every country should make it law, for travel agents selling any country with repeated scams.to advise the traveller of the risks and not to get involved in certain kinds of activities, i know every country has a page warning about this and that,but truthfully, not many tourists look at them.

Yep, from the Australian Government travel website http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

"Australian travellers continue to report harassment and threats of violence by jet ski operators on beaches across Thailand, and particularly in Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan."

The warning is there, just need to get people back home to read it before travelling.

...typical Thai justice.....and a threat, to boot......

....while an accused murderer.....flies the coop.......

Why would anyone hire a jet ski in Thailand, ever??

I don't know the Hon Consul concerned, but if he has lived and done business in Thailand as long as he has, he should know that by telling the Thai authorities what to do about jet ski practices, he is on a slippery slope to a sticky end.

Instead of telling Thais what to do, he should focus on his duties of telling Assuies what not to do....renting jet skis being front and centre. That is his job, on an honorary basis anyway.

This will Never Stop happening as long as the authority's allow These Thai Thug Mafia Scammers to operate... Never.... They Know that they can and will get away with it.

Phuket, Samui and Pattaya all the same...

So sad....