Tourism department sets new standard for jet ski rental service

[Lite Beer]

Tourism department sets new standard for jet ski rental service
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism department has introduced a new standard for services renting out personal watercraft, commonly known as jet skis, to boost confidence in the safety, quality of service, and business ethics of this popular seaside activity among Thai and foreign tourists.

Acting Second Lieutenant Arnupap Gaesornsuwan, director-general of the department, said it had recently finalised and launched the Jet Ski Rental Service Standard to control the quality of service and safety measures of jet-ski rental shops as part of the military government's overall effort to promote the country's tourism industry.

The standard was drawn up soon after the appearance of YouTube videos showing some jet-ski rental shops in Thailand taking advantage of foreign customers.

A number of tourists have filed complaints through their respective embassies in Thailand urging the government to address this issue.

The Tourism Department said it hoped the new standard would address the problem effectively and prevent further damage to the country's tourism image.

"At the same time, we are encouraging jet-ski business operators in Thailand to recognise the needs and importance of the standard, and to move promptly to improve their service quality, the skills of their staff, and their business ethics, in order to meet with the standard set by the department," Arnupap said.

Rental shops that comply with the new standard are eligible for the department's "Merry Elephant" Thailand Tourism Standard emblem, but they must first be registered companies or juristic persons that have been in business for more than three months and must have permanent addresses.

Second, all jet skis must be registered and licensed, with a valid insurance policy.

Third, jet-ski rental shops must be equipped with certified supervisors with knowledge of first-aid care deployed at the area of service at all times.

In addition, one certified person can only supervise two jet skis at a time, ensuring that users wear standard safety vests at all times while using these watercraft.

Jet-ski renters are required to pass the assessment conducted by a jet-ski supervisor prior to using the service to prevent possible damage and, most important, to prevent possible accidents and injury.

Last, jet-ski rental shops must make their fees visible to customers, including the service terms and conditions, to ensure ethical and transparent service.

"Nautical tourism is considered a highlight of tourism in the coastal areas of Thailand," Arnupap said.

"The revenue generated from this type of tourism is an important source of income in both high and low seasons.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Tourism-department-sets-new-standard-for-jet-ski-r-30240023.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-02

[terryp]

its a good start.. how about mandatory insurance paid by the jet ski owner

Edited August 3, 2014 by terryp

[crazygreg44]

a promise, or an ACTION ?

[BSJ]

Will be interesting to see how that goes.

[submaniac]

An end to the jet ski scams?!?! Why it's the end of Thailand as we know it...hopefully.

[chooka]

The standard was drawn up "soon" after the appearance of YouTube videos showing some jet-ski rental shops in Thailand taking advantage of foreign customers.

These videos surfaced years ago probably going back 5 years with J.J threatening to shoot customers. Foreign diplomats have been raising these scams for years. So I guess if a thai says he will take care of it soon that means somewhere in 5+ years.

[ratcatcher]

The standard was drawn up "soon" after the appearance of YouTube videos showing some jet-ski rental shops in Thailand taking advantage of foreign customers.

These videos surfaced years ago probably going back 5 years with J.J threatening to shoot customers. Foreign diplomats have been raising these scams for years. So I guess if a thai says he will take care of it soon that means somewhere in 5+ years.

" So I guess if a thai says he will take care of it soon that means somewhere in 5+ years"

Have you heard, there's a new sheriff in town.? Some things are slowly changing for the better after years of inaction.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

its a good start.. how about mandatory insurance paid by the jet ski owner

From the OP article:

Second, all jet skis must be registered and licensed, with a valid insurance policy.

[noitom]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

a promise, or an ACTION ?

Neither. Just pure Thai marketing.

[KhunAussie52]

The standard was drawn up "soon" after the appearance of YouTube videos showing some jet-ski rental shops in Thailand taking advantage of foreign customers.

These videos surfaced years ago probably going back 5 years with J.J threatening to shoot customers. Foreign diplomats have been raising these scams for years. So I guess if a thai says he will take care of it soon that means somewhere in 5+ years.

" So I guess if a thai says he will take care of it soon that means somewhere in 5+ years"

Have you heard, there's a new sheriff in town.? Some things are slowly changing for the better after years of inaction.

this clip is 3 years old on you tube

Edited August 3, 2014 by KhunAussie52

[aussieinthailand]

A good thought, but wait, is it just a oh we are gonna do this, we are gonna do that, and nothing as usual, the BIB in beach area's will loose a third of their cut from the jet ski boy's quick think of another way we can get the rich falang to pay...

I never hire anything without being watched by the staff taking lots of photo's, 5 min's and 5 photo's can save you loads of grief latter on.

[ChrisY1]

Business ethics for Jet ski operators..........

[Payboy]

So there was an "old" standard?

[worgeordie]

Who is going to enforce these regulations the "Merry Elephant" !,and

will the punishment be more than a slap on the wrist or Bht 500 fine.

regards Worgeordie

[Chang_paarp]

A sensible way to deal with damages. Here is how one business has adapted to their hire vehicle being busted up, the signs are in Russian and English;

This was a new sign this year. We had gone to the place for the last few years with no issues.

[KarenBravo]

......and in Phuket, the jet-ski operators have now disobeyed the army directive to keep their jet-skis in the water and not on the beach.

They are begging the understanding of the army by claiming that the jet-ski beach boys will turn to crime if they don't get paid everyday.

Yup.....only in Thailand.

[balo]

I do not believe it until I see it. How can the jetski vendors afford to get legal ?

Sent from my SM-P601 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[inzman]

So the criminals are threatening to turn to crime? They already commit crimes by renting jet skis and threatening tourists. Also these new rules are just old rules that were never enforced. What a pathetic joke. I really thought the new rulers were getting somewhere with the jet ski boys. Now I see its just the same old dog and pony show. Like I have said before, you can't change an entire countries mindset in a couple months. It will take generations. But you have to start somewhere.

[impulse]

While I salute the step, I worry about unintended consequences. As despicable as the jet ski scams are, they're 100% avoidable.

Taking the livelihood away from a bunch of thugs with no legitimate job skills could push them to extort victims more randomly.

What comes after the crackdown? Parking a car on a walking street and extorting tourists for "scratching it" walking by? Then nobody's safe.

The only effective option is to lock up extortionists and the powers behind them. Or else it's just going to be Whack-A-Mole.

Edited August 3, 2014 by impulse

[phuketrichard]

they forgot to mention that you cant rent to under 18 year olds, i was almost run over one day swimming at Kamala beach but a kid,

went in and had a real yell at his dad and the jet ski renter.

[BeforeTigers]

I'm pretty sure it was already illegal to strong arm tourists.

Now, if you can somehow manage to run a businss without robbing anyone, you get s shiny sticker.

happy happy

[WitawatWatawit]

Let's not forget that a considerable number of these hirers, especially in high density tourist zones, are thugs. Nasty vicious scum who thrive on confrontation, whose MO is intimidation which they truly love. When an incident starts to dvelop with a foreigner, watch the periphery of the scene and you will see the dog packs start to gather, a keen look of anticipation on their faces in the hope of a fight breaking out. Add to this the crooked police element, and all I can say is, good luck to whoever tries to resolve this issue. They'd better bring the boys with the serious firepower.

[Pib]

Rental shops that comply with the new standard are eligible for the department's "Merry Elephant" Thailand Tourism Standard emblem,..

Oh wow, the coveted Merry Elephant emblem...that's right up there with the Kermit the Frog emblem.

[casindonet]

Merry elephant emblem?

Sent from my C6833 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[KarenBravo]

Yada, yada, yada. And enforcement?

[KarenBravo]

......and in Phuket, the jet-ski operators have now disobeyed the army directive to keep their jet-skis in the water and not on the beach.

They are begging the understanding of the army by claiming that the jet-ski beach boys will turn to crime if they don't get paid everyday.

Yup.....only in Thailand.

Where I come from, this business model is called Extortion.

[lemonjelly]

Merry Elephant in the Room Emblem....would that be an image of trustworthy local police acting as "negotiators" for a percentage of compensation deals for false damages. How can thugs like JJ be allowed to operate jet ski businesses here?

[Pib]

Yada, yada, yada. And enforcement?

Enforcement does seem to a Thailand weak point. Plenty of laws and regulations on the books, but the enforcement can be weak, selective, non-existent, etc.

[chooka]

Merry Elephant in the Room Emblem....would that be an image of trustworthy local police acting as "negotiators" for a percentage of compensation deals for false damages. How can thugs like JJ be allowed to operate jet ski businesses here?

Thailand Tourism Scams Fixed By Merry Elephant Stickers.

http://khonkaen.ws/thailand-tourism-scams-fixed-by-merry-elephant-stickers

[rametindallas]

......and in Phuket, the jet-ski operators have now disobeyed the army directive to keep their jet-skis in the water and not on the beach.

They are begging the understanding of the army by claiming that the jet-ski beach boys will turn to crime if they don't get paid everyday.

Yup.....only in Thailand.

claiming that the jet-ski beach boys will turn to crime

Too late. By running that kind of operation they have already turned to crime.