Business leaders blast Pattaya officials for neglecting marine safety

PATTAYA:--The president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) blasted Pattaya and police officials for failing to enforce marine-safety standards, leading to a “chronic and tiresome” string of boat accidents that have damaged the city’s tourism industry.

“Every time an accident like this takes place a meeting is held to resolve the issues that led to it. But the agreement that results is just writing, since regulators and officials continue to neglect marine operations and not take the issue seriously,” Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn told Chonburi Governor Khomsan Ekachai, Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, city council members, Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho and city Marine Department officials at a tense three-hour meeting at city hall Nov. 4.

“It is time for the government to take this matter seriously by implementing and enforcing laws on operators,” Sinchai said. “The blame cannot be laid just on boat operators because the officers directly responsible neglected their duties and did not exert serious control to inspect and regulate. The city has sat idle.”

Sinchai called this year’s string of accidents - which have killed 11 tourists and injured dozens more - “chronic and tiresome” and extremely damaging to tourism.
Full story: http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/business-leaders-blast-pattaya-officials-for-neglecting-marine-safety-32080#sthash.h510VRlT.dpuf

-- Pattaya Mail 2013-11-15

Ho Hum

Another meeting , another castigation ,another News Story , another wasted effort.

Start at the jet Skis & sweep it all clean & apply all Police / Marine Laws & Safety Regulations ALREADY in place.

In any other Country it would be simple.

Hey , Rim , No Pointing therefore No Crime....Right??

Ho Hum. !

Edited November 15, 201312 yr by Ohio

Yeah, but this is the first time I can recall that a city official has been reported as actually pointing the finger (metaphorically) at the BIB and telling them they aren't doing their job.

Good on him and we can hope that something tangible comes out of it. Yes.......hopeful I know, but it's got to start somewhere.

At least one stood up and pointed a finger, but sure, it will just go on the same as always.

this is good news. im very surprized that someone has actually said the obvious and i think something may come of this if they keep it up. and they will because their businesses depend on it

they dont care about the lives that were lost , only that as a consequence they will lose money , i think its called "thainess"

Why aren't these business leaders blasting city hall for lack of traffic enforcement ? Certainly having customers stuck in traffic for hours must impact their business.

Or the lack of keeping the foot paths clear of illegal businesses so customers can't get to their shops without running the vendor gauntlet

Or the motorcycle rental parking on the public roads so that customers can't park

Or pedestrian crossing lights that are turned off on weekends

Marine safety is just the flavor of the week