TOURISM
First tourist court to open in Pattaya tomorrow
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

PATTAYA: -- Thailand's first tourist court will open tomorrow in the popular beach resort city of Pattaya as part of the government's move to reassure travellers of their safety while visiting the country.

From 4.30pm to 8.30pm, foreign tourists can come and lodge complaints, especially over unfair services and personal security. Consideration of cases will be cut to one day for uncomplicated disputes from the usual six months, Wirat Chinwinigkul, secretary-general of the Judiciary, said yesterday.

The specialised court will encourage negotiations between parties. Most of the cases are about consumer protection, so it is easier to reach a compromise. If it's a serious issue, the case will be transferred to the regular court. There will be capable officials speaking foreign languages to help.

Six more night courts are planned - Pathum Wan district for the Silom area and Dusit district for khao san in Bangkok, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Those tourist destinations have faced various problems, especially cheating by operators.

The Pattaya court would be a pilot project. It is expected to take up speedboat services, which is one of the serious issues corroding the country's tourism image. It's also related to criminal cases.

Yesterday, four parties - police, prosecutors, the courts of justice and the Tourism Ministry - signed an agreement to set up the court and work together to help take care of foreign holidaymakers.

The court will also be responsible for looking after Thai tourists and scrutinising the role of tourism operators in providing fair services to tourists.

The ministry should set up a department to handle cases because some tourists have to go home before a ruling is handed down, he said.

In the future, Thailand should enact legislation to regulate the industry, like in France, because tourism is an important industry strengthening the national economy. It has grown rapidly, but existing laws cannot keep up, he added.

Tourism Minister Somsak Pureesrisak said it's a good sign for the country's tourism industry. The night court would help secure the industry's role in the long term, especially in achieving the target of Bt2 trillion in tourism revenue in 2015.

The ministry has made a big effort to standardise the industry, launching measures and regulations to crack down on scams. Especially Phuket needs a clean-up. The resort island is overrun by illegal services and gangsters.


-- The Nation 2013-09-04

Yeah sure, ever heard of doing something in the same pot?

They should film the proceedings and put it on Thai TV. Bound to be more entertaining that Thai soaps.

Courts don't install confidence in people or increase safety, courts are used after the incident has occurred. Would it be better to attack the problems at the source instead of trying to patch things up afterwards?

"The specialised court will encourage negotiations between parties" Does this mean that the tourist will still have to pay to the Jet Ski Scammers.

"From 4.30pm to 8.30pm, foreign tourists can come and lodge complaints" So what happens if you get scammed on the beach and have a firearm shoved in your face outside these times. Maybe they will put restriction on corruption and scams so they can only occure between the hours of 4.30 - 8.30 p.m.

Clean up the problems before they happen. Prevention is better than cure. A proactive approach is far better than reactive one if you want to install confidence and make the place safer.

Courts don't install confidence in people or increase safety, courts are used after the incident has occurred. Would it be better to attack the problems at the source instead of trying to patch things up afterwards?

"The specialised court will encourage negotiations between parties" Does this mean that the tourist will still have to pay to the Jet Ski Scammers.

"From 4.30pm to 8.30pm, foreign tourists can come and lodge complaints" So what happens if you get scammed on the beach and have a firearm shoved in your face outside these times. Maybe they will put restriction on corruption and scams so they can only occure between the hours of 4.30 - 8.30 p.m.

Clean up the problems before they happen. Prevention is better than cure. A proactive approach is far better than reactive one if you want to install confidence and make the place safer.

All so simple..but it aint gonna happen

Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't... But it is a good idea

Before complaining, it would be better to give it a chance and see how it works.

The biggest thin is going to be in getting the word out to tourists, so that they know this even exists.

Also would need police cooperation, which may be challenging... As understand that under current "shake down practices" the BiB normally get a cut of the proceeds from Jet Ski scammers and the like.

So in the future, when ever jet ski scammers or others come in to the Police station, will the police automatically direct both parties to go to the tourist courts?

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

How long until the BiB's first Court Avoidance Facilitation Fee is levied?

Bad idea in my mind..

do they offer 24 hour protection from the jet ski scammer n his tribe of friends,I

think not..

Why don't they employ more tourist police specifically to go undercover n rid the

beaches of there scammers...

Thai police alone would never eliminate the problem as a lot of them get kickbacks

from these scumbags...

1. Defeatists on here

Never heard so much crap,Ulot moan more than my mum lol.Lets give it a try and see how it goes.I bet some of u who have moaned,drive on the pavement,wrong side of the road,and try to bribe officers

Whatever the outcome, it's a step in the right direction.

I like the idea and that the Thai's now understand there is a problem. However, will it work in the favour of the tourist or the BiB. Lets see. I wait in hope.

1. Defeatists on here

Never heard so much crap,Ulot moan more than my mum lol.Lets give it a try and see how it goes.I bet some of u who have moaned,drive on the pavement,wrong side of the road,and try to bribe officers

Not defeatists, just think that it would be better to tackle the problem at the source and to prevent crimes, scams etc. How on earth does the thought of a court make tourists feel safe from criminals? It is not the courts role to prevent and detect offence and provide a safe and orderly society that is the role of the police with the assistance of governments. The courts are where you go after the incident and not before it happens. You won't be going to the courts to negotiate the price of your extortion before you hire a jet ski. These courts will not have the Phuket mafia or other criminal elements packing up shop and fleeing it will still be business as usual.

I doubt very much that the scammers are going to allow you to walk away prior to paying up just so you can go and book a court date. You will still be surrounded by thugs and have a firearm shoved in your face until you empty your wallet.

Do you have to bring your own kangaroo or do they provide one free of charge?

Hopefully but from my experience, these measures are just wallpaper over the cracks. The usual story.

Whatever the outcome, it's a step in the right direction.

1. Defeatists on here

Never heard so much crap,Ulot moan more than my mum lol.Lets give it a try and see how it goes.I bet some of u who have moaned,drive on the pavement,wrong side of the road,and try to bribe officers

Not defeatists, just think that it would be better to tackle the problem at the source and to prevent crimes, scams etc. How on earth does the thought of a court make tourists feel safe from criminals? It is not the courts role to prevent and detect offence and provide a safe and orderly society that is the role of the police with the assistance of governments. The courts are where you go after the incident and not before it happens. You won't be going to the courts to negotiate the price of your extortion before you hire a jet ski. These courts will not have the Phuket mafia or other criminal elements packing up shop and fleeing it will still be business as usual.

I doubt very much that the scammers are going to allow you to walk away prior to paying up just so you can go and book a court date. You will still be surrounded by thugs and have a firearm shoved in your face until you empty your wallet.

Not defeatist - then you are a nut! Scams happen everywhere, disputes over price and quality do happen everywhere. It is courts as well that provide justice and order and if it's open to public and jet ski scammers are accounted guilty once wouldn't that prevent future crimes? What do you expect? The police to become real over night? Well that aint going to happen. A tourist court could protect tourists even from corrupt Police. Following your logic we shouldn't open new hospitals but should eliminate injuries and deseases first. Get real!

1. Defeatists on here

Never heard so much crap,Ulot moan more than my mum lol.Lets give it a try and see how it goes.I bet some of u who have moaned,drive on the pavement,wrong side of the road,and try to bribe officers

Not defeatists, just think that it would be better to tackle the problem at the source and to prevent crimes, scams etc. How on earth does the thought of a court make tourists feel safe from criminals? It is not the courts role to prevent and detect offence and provide a safe and orderly society that is the role of the police with the assistance of governments. The courts are where you go after the incident and not before it happens. You won't be going to the courts to negotiate the price of your extortion before you hire a jet ski. These courts will not have the Phuket mafia or other criminal elements packing up shop and fleeing it will still be business as usual.

I doubt very much that the scammers are going to allow you to walk away prior to paying up just so you can go and book a court date. You will still be surrounded by thugs and have a firearm shoved in your face until you empty your wallet.

Not defeatist - then you are a nut! Scams happen everywhere, disputes over price and quality do happen everywhere. It is courts as well that provide justice and order and if it's open to public and jet ski scammers are accounted guilty once wouldn't that prevent future crimes? What do you expect? The police to become real over night? Well that aint going to happen. A tourist court could protect tourists even from corrupt Police. Following your logic we shouldn't open new hospitals but should eliminate injuries and deseases first. Get real!

Nice try but your attempt to insult me didn't work you will have to try harder than that.

Fair enough just turn a blind eye to the criminal elements, how silly of me to even suggest that authorities go after the root of the problem.

The jet ski scammers have been found guilty more than once, J.J shoved a firearm in the face of a victim, charged fined at back in business. No convicting a single criminal/ scammer does not scare the others off and prevent future crimes.

Courts don't install confidence in people or increase safety, courts are used after the incident has occurred. Would it be better to attack the problems at the source instead of trying to patch things up afterwards?

"The specialised court will encourage negotiations between parties" Does this mean that the tourist will still have to pay to the Jet Ski Scammers.

"From 4.30pm to 8.30pm, foreign tourists can come and lodge complaints" So what happens if you get scammed on the beach and have a firearm shoved in your face outside these times. Maybe they will put restriction on corruption and scams so they can only occure between the hours of 4.30 - 8.30 p.m.

Clean up the problems before they happen. Prevention is better than cure. A proactive approach is far better than reactive one if you want to install confidence and make the place safer.

Well said...

This court joke, will only lead to more money being backhanded!

PLUS... Once a jetski owner is punished, is he free to commit again, ??? is this just a "slap on the wrist court" ?

yeah..popular for scumbag pedophiles, crooks, sleazy guys and gals.......

They never seem to pay attention to the farangs that LIVE here. What about the daily crime of noise against human sensibilities?

Good luck getting anyone to listen to that. (They can't hear it over the din of the boom box cars.)

Please please PLEASE have a Thai Visa wanna-be reporter on the scene giving reports and updates.

This could be the biggest and best-est thread that TV has EVER seen.

Pictures would be nice

Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't... But it is a good idea

Before complaining, it would be better to give it a chance and see how it works.

The biggest thin is going to be in getting the word out to tourists, so that they know this even exists.

Also would need police cooperation, which may be challenging... As understand that under current "shake down practices" the BiB normally get a cut of the proceeds from Jet Ski scammers and the like.

So in the future, when ever jet ski scammers or others come in to the Police station, will the police automatically direct both parties to go to the tourist courts?

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Well you have certainly brought up some good points how ever the jet sky scam is not that big an issue the press just blows it up.

There are far more scams being operated far more often than the jet ski scam.

Like you say how do they get the word out. If a tourist knows of the court chances are he will get scammed by the taxi driver on his way to report the scam.

Whatever the outcome, it's a step in the right direction.

Call me an optimist but like above, I can't help thinking that it's a step in the right direction too.

Problem is though, will it be open for back-handers and brown envelopes? Probably yes

Rome wasn't built in a day. Haven't used that for a while but any step is a good step and

someone somewhere has seen the necessity to do something, and acted on it.

Other than just complain and whinge and drink another Leo. Ahem.

Thailand's most popular tourist areas seem to be getting more risky every week.

The whole world wants to be more civilised as populations grow more dense.

Otherwise we get chaos.

Up here in the North, instead of turning up at a music event or party with a mobile phone,

young men have guns and machete's under their clothing.

Sorry to be an idiot but did anyone notice where the Pattaya Court would be located?

Justice by cutting corners!

Will they be seriously dealing with complaints of double-pricing? Which I believe is illegal.

I'd love it to work but cannot see it getting past the BIB who have cornered the market in 'negotiating' settlements. Check out the weight of the gold on display at Pattaya Police Station. Some of it was snatched from the necks of tourists - the snatcher under police protection.

Will they be seriously dealing with complaints of double-pricing? Which I believe is illegal.

Don't think double pricing is illegal, especially as one of the main culprits in the Government with their National Park admission fees.

I'd love it to work but cannot see it getting past the BIB who have cornered the market in 'negotiating' settlements. Check out the weight of the gold on display at Pattaya Police Station. Some of it was snatched from the necks of tourists - the snatcher under police protection.

They will need to tell the tourists about it as they arrive at the airport. "Please enjoy your stay, when you get scammed by our jet ski, tuk tuk, taxi operators or any other of our assortment of undesirable characters please avoid the police as they have shares and come straight to the courts where we can negotiate a slightly reduced fare. (administration and associated fees will need to be paid in advance)

1. Defeatists on here

Never heard so much crap,Ulot moan more than my mum lol.Lets give it a try and see how it goes.I bet some of u who have moaned,drive on the pavement,wrong side of the road,and try to bribe officers

Not defeatists, just think that it would be better to tackle the problem at the source and to prevent crimes, scams etc. How on earth does the thought of a court make tourists feel safe from criminals? It is not the courts role to prevent and detect offence and provide a safe and orderly society that is the role of the police with the assistance of governments. The courts are where you go after the incident and not before it happens. You won't be going to the courts to negotiate the price of your extortion before you hire a jet ski. These courts will not have the Phuket mafia or other criminal elements packing up shop and fleeing it will still be business as usual.

I doubt very much that the scammers are going to allow you to walk away prior to paying up just so you can go and book a court date. You will still be surrounded by thugs and have a firearm shoved in your face until you empty your wallet.

How many incidents of firearms in ones face has there been in the last few years.If one has a problem,then one goes to the police station,and dont hire ajet ski,everybody including my mum knows about the scams