Phuket jet-ski thug gets first taste of swift tourist court justice

[webfact]

Phuket jet-ski thug gets first taste of swift tourist court justice
Phuket Gazette


The tourist court in Phuket, formally known as the Tourist Protection Section, opened last week. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- The first cases heard in Phuket’s tourist court, which involved a jet-ski operator who attacked two tourists on Kata Beach, were resolved less than 36 hours after the incidents happened.

Danaichet Yomjinda, 25, who pled guilty to charges of assaulting the two men on Friday with a “No Swimming” flagpole, was issued a 1,000-baht fine and put on probation for two years (story here).

The father and son, originally identified by police as Israeli, were confirmed to be Australian nationals during the court hearing.

“The two assault cases, one against the father and one against the son, were transferred to the court on Saturday morning. They were tried as two separate cases,” said an officer at the tourism court.

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-jet-ski-thug-gets-first-taste-of-swift-tourist-court-justice-22380.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-09-30

[laurentbkk]

1000 baht fine ?????????????? Is that a joke ? or a typing mistake ?

[krystian]

they'll be hitting tourists with no swimming poles everyday for 1,000 baht

[Aachen]

a bargain. cheaper than sex.

[LivinginKata]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

[CWMcMurray]

For the first hit... But if he does it again within 2 yrs, then he will be facing jail time

Is is great... Perhaps less than he deserved, but a least it went through the system very quickly and no 'damages' seemed to be paid by the tourists

So clearly far far better than the old system of 'shake down at the Police station'

So still call it a win...

If this happens again and again, then there will soon. Be a lot of jet ski operators, taxi , Tuk Tuk drivers on probation before too long...

Once they are on probation and looking at Jail time for repeat offense, may cause them to think twice

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[hanno]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

Totally agree.

First, there was moaning that nothing was done, now the moaning continues.

I am not familiar with the Thai penal code but I should suspect that fines in general are lower than say in Oz or the USA. Lots of Thais for which THB 1,000 are a fair chunk of cash.

[MacWalen]

That is not justice.

[CWMcMurray]

Also in the past, he wouldn't have even likely got the 1,000 thb fine...

As due to the slow process, by the time the case came up, no complaining witness, so gets thrown out of court

So still look at this as a win

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[CWMcMurray]

That is not justice.

Perhaps not, but if the offender had a clean jacket with no prior convictions, then no too uncommon, even in the west, for a first time offender to get probation.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[robblok]

Its progress.. not perfect but progress. I am amazed.

[dcutman]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

Gonna have to call BS on that one. Beating an old an man and his son with a pole and getting a 1000 baht fine is not the real real Thailand. It may be in Kata Beach, or any where else in Phukett or Pataya but not in Thailand in general. But I am actually quite surprised the Farangs didnt get the fine in this cesspool.

[lee b]

I bet this guy will not sleep at night after a massive 1000 b fine...

[robblok]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

Gonna have to call BS on that one. Beating an old an man and his son with a pole and getting a 1000 baht fine is not the real real Thailand. It may be in Kata Beach, or any where else in Phukett or Pataya but not in Thailand in general. But I am actually quite surprised the Farangs didnt get the fine in this cesspool.

To be honest I have heard before that the fine for assault is just 500 bt and this was double assault so 1000 bt. I am not sure but this really might be the maximum fine.

[phuketrichard]

woooo;

that will definately stop him from doing it again, 1,000 baht!!!!

If they had beat him would they also have had a 1,000 baht fine??

[madmitch]

I am confused.

Having read the original article it distinctly stated that the non-criminal element of the case was to be heard at the tourist court. This appears to be the exact opposite, or were unreported damages also awarded to the tourists?

[dcutman]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

Gonna have to call BS on that one. Beating an old an man and his son with a pole and getting a 1000 baht fine is not the real real Thailand. It may be in Kata Beach, or any where else in Phukett or Pataya but not in Thailand in general. But I am actually quite surprised the Farangs didnt get the fine in this cesspool.

To be honest I have heard before that the fine for assault is just 500 bt and this was double assault so 1000 bt. I am not sure but this really might be the maximum fine.

Ok I will agree with that, I am not sure on this, but I would assume there are many degrees of assault. Beating two men with a stick/flagpole would be rather high on the assault chart. I mean the guy didnt beat them with a pillow, this assault caused injuries. So I am gonna still say in the above mentioned places the penalty would not be this ridiculously low, at least without some sort of compensation. I would not expect any different in this case or any in the future from these so called tourist courts in the future. Like I said these places are cesspools and free for all rip offs, a complete embarrassment to this country.

[KED]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

THB 1,000 may be a lot to the average Thai person; however, it is nothing compared to the amount the jet ski operators are extorting from tourists.

[NamKangMan]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

Aren't the jet-skis rented at 1500 baht per half hour? I gather the father rented one, and the son rented one - that's 3000 baht.

1000 baht is just some part of the profit from the rental to the victims.

It does seem a little too lenient to me, and would tend to send a message to other jet-ski operators, and tuk-tuk drivers, that the going rate for assaulting a couple of tourists, with a weapon, (flag pole) is only 1000 baht.

In my opinion, it sets a rather low precedent for this Court to now abide by.

1000 baht is cheap for "tarnishing Phuket's image."

Edited September 30, 2013 by NamKangMan

[MK1]

I am confused.

Having read the original article it distinctly stated that the non-criminal element of the case was to be heard at the tourist court. This appears to be the exact opposite, or were unreported damages also awarded to the tourists?

Yes and they obviously wanted to deliberately withhold their nationality’s until it went to Court, perhaps because they didn’t want to weigh into Larry Cunningham’s Glory (Ex-Australian Hon Consul) in reopening the same old festering debate of corrupt jet-ski operators upon the eve of his retirement last Saturday. Thanks Gazette for the so called transparent reporting. An explanation by the editor of the Gazette would helpful in light of the error. It quite possible the Gazette had their nosed pulled too.

Edited September 30, 2013 by MK1

[madmitch]

I am confused.

Having read the original article it distinctly stated that the non-criminal element of the case was to be heard at the tourist court. This appears to be the exact opposite, or were unreported damages also awarded to the tourists?

Yes and they obviously wanted to deliberately withhold their nationality’s until it went to Court, perhaps because they didn’t want to weigh into Larry Cunningham’s Glory (Ex-Australian Hon Consul) in reopening the same old festering debate of corrupt jet-ski operators upon the eve of his retirement last Saturday. Thanks Gazette for the so called transparent reporting. An explanation by the editor of the Gazette would helpful in light of the error. It quite possible the Gazette had their nosed pulled too.

There now appears to be an explanation in the Phuket News, The case allegedly wasn't heard in the tourist court at all!

http://www.thephuketnews.com/no-phuket-tourist-court-hearing-yet-42160.php#news-alert

[NamKangMan]

I am confused.

Having read the original article it distinctly stated that the non-criminal element of the case was to be heard at the tourist court. This appears to be the exact opposite, or were unreported damages also awarded to the tourists?

Yes and they obviously wanted to deliberately withhold their nationality’s until it went to Court, perhaps because they didn’t want to weigh into Larry Cunningham’s Glory (Ex-Australian Hon Consul) in reopening the same old festering debate of corrupt jet-ski operators upon the eve of his retirement last Saturday. Thanks Gazette for the so called transparent reporting. An explanation by the editor of the Gazette would helpful in light of the error. It quite possible the Gazette had their nosed pulled too.

There now appears to be an explanation in the Phuket News, The case allegedly wasn't heard in the tourist court at all!

http://www.thephuketnews.com/no-phuket-tourist-court-hearing-yet-42160.php#news-alert

As far as journalism is concerned, we really are like mushrooms here. "Kept in the dark and fed bullsh*t." :)

[MK1]

I am confused.

Having read the original article it distinctly stated that the non-criminal element of the case was to be heard at the tourist court. This appears to be the exact opposite, or were unreported damages also awarded to the tourists?

Yes and they obviously wanted to deliberately withhold their nationality’s until it went to Court, perhaps because they didn’t want to weigh into Larry Cunningham’s Glory (Ex-Australian Hon Consul) in reopening the same old festering debate of corrupt jet-ski operators upon the eve of his retirement last Saturday. Thanks Gazette for the so called transparent reporting. An explanation by the editor of the Gazette would helpful in light of the error. It quite possible the Gazette had their nosed pulled too.

There now appears to be an explanation in the Phuket News, The case allegedly wasn't heard in the tourist court at all!

http://www.thephuketnews.com/no-phuket-tourist-court-hearing-yet-42160.php#news-alert

It’s about time the Phuket Gazette started reporting the real news rather than publish false and misleading information to the public in order to try captivate readers by desperate means. Thanks Madmitch

[JoeThePoster]

1000 baht - a mere dent in the jet ski profits.

[Paangjang]

Still swings and roundabouts in the corrupt/violent Phuket playground then... ฿1000 is cheaper than the tuk tuk to the court

[chooka]

1K baht fine and 2 yrs probation for assault with a weapon, what an absolute joke. Just going thru the motions and this court is a bloody laughing stock. Not hard to see it is on the side of the criminals. If it was a tourist who assaulted a thai with a weapon I am sure the court would of had an entirely different approach.

[NomadJoe]

You all might makes jokes, but I consider this real progress. You have to realise that fines in Thailand seem low, but that is just the real Thai economy (not the tourist economy).

This is the part I really like ...

“If Mr Danaichet is caught committing a crime during his probation, he faces a penalty of three months in prison,” the officer explained.

Totally agree.

First, there was moaning that nothing was done, now the moaning continues.

I am not familiar with the Thai penal code but I should suspect that fines in general are lower than say in Oz or the USA. Lots of Thais for which THB 1,000 are a fair chunk of cash.

1000B is also know as 12.5 minutes on one of his jet ski's.

[MK1]

1K baht fine and 2 yrs probation for assault with a weapon, what an absolute joke. Just going thru the motions and this court is a bloody laughing stock. Not hard to see it is on the side of the criminals. If it was a tourist who assaulted a thai with a weapon I am sure the court would of had an entirely different approach.

I think the minimum is 500bt fine for assault, but the problem for foreigners is we risk having our Visa cancelled and deported so indirectly there is more to lose if it’s the other way round.

[QualityTouristNumberOne]

Jaysus when I read the headline at first I thought it said

Phuket jet-ski thug gets first taste of swift tourist justice

and pictured a scene of "Rambo" Hunter being hired to send few of his boys to deal out some "Thainess" to these scumbags(well you know what they say about "set a thief to catch a thief") then I woke up from my daydream and realised TiT...or even worse TiP(This is Phuket)

[wolf5370]

This is a good start - it would do for the court to put greater penalties on people that get away with 5 and 6 figure cash-ins daily. A better sentence might have been 2 years suspended sentence and ban from operating in the tourist industry for 3 months. Next time, 3 months inside and year ban. Third time, 6 months in the poke and life time ban from owning or renting jet skis and the tourist industry/confiscation and enforced sale of all the jet skis (remittance returned to the guy of course). Lets have some teeth or these guys are just going to laugh at it - and do the scam one more time a week to cover the extra outgoings.