Thailand gets tough of jet ski scammers

BANGKOK: -- After years of pressure from tour operators and tourists alike, Thailand is finally getting tough on the infamous jet ski scammers.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is teaming up with the Department of Tourism to crack down on corrupt jet ski operators, and introduce new regulations and safety standards.

The familiar scam involves hefty damage fees imposed on the tourist, who is strong-armed into paying exorbitant fees for alleged damage to the machine. These large fines are often extracted under the threat of violence, and many tourists have taken the step of lodging complaints with their national embassies after being scammed by jet ski operators.

Pattaya and Phuket are the two main destinations where tourists have been scammed, and the practice is so well known that there is a video on YouTube which shows the conmen in action, posted as a warning to other tourists.

The Jet Ski Rental Service Standards, which are coming into force, require that operators have at least a three-month legal business license tied to a permanent address as well as a valid insurance policy. In addition, certified supervisors with first-aid training must be present at all time. To ensure ethical and transparent services for tourists, jet ski operators must clearly display the service fees as well as terms and conditions.

Rental shops complying with the new service standards will be issued with a Merry Elephant logo by the Department of Tourism to display. This emblem acts as a guarantee that they are trusted jet ski operators.

The regulations also extend to the safety of tourists using this equipment. Anyone hiring a jet ski will have to pass an assessment test before they are allowed to take it out on the water. Once they pass this test they are still required to wear standard safety vests at all times.

This move comes after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued a command to clean up and regulate the business of jet skis in many of Thailands famous beach destinations.

Travel Daily Media

-- Samui Times 2014-08-18

Don't believe it...I'm in Phuket and there's been all this talk since the coup...everything from the jet ski boys changing their ways to eliminating all together...so far nothing has been done..they remain at large and the scams continue....Doesn't look like the army can crack this nut...

Don't believe it...I'm in Phuket and there's been all this talk since the coup...everything from the jet ski boys changing their ways to eliminating all together...so far nothing has been done..they remain at large and the scams continue....Doesn't look like the army can crack this nut...

Yes, lots of talk . . . and NOW they are doing something about it . . . give it more than a few hours before you expect to see results . . .

Still misses the point though. Jet Skis should have a pre-paid deposit (1 or 2k max - cars are 5k!) and insurance that covers all eventualities above and beyond the deposit; and illegal for charges outside of this and rental fee (under existing extortion laws). Sign with fixed dimensions and font size, in Thai and English explaining all that, in full sight at every rental location, along with the number of the tourist police for disputes. full stop.

Still misses the point though. Jet Skis should have a pre-paid deposit (1 or 2k max - cars are 5k!) and insurance that covers all eventualities above and beyond the deposit; and illegal for charges outside of this and rental fee (under existing extortion laws). Sign with fixed dimensions and font size, in Thai and English explaining all that, in full sight at every rental location, along with the number of the tourist police for disputes. full stop.

Agreed, except for the involvement of the tourist police. At least in Phuket at the moment this is the worst thing you can do.

This is a good move forward, but falls short of what everyone knows is the only real solution, 100% ban. This was a former governors plan a few years ago, but it was never followed through on by subsequent administrations.

It is also relevant to note that no boats, including personal watercraft, can be legally operated by persons without a Thai captains license.

The NCPO is falling short on this one.

"Rental shops complying with the new service standards will be issued with a Merry Elephant logo by the Department of Tourism to display. This emblem acts as a guarantee that they are trusted jet ski operators."

Don't believe it...I'm in Phuket and there's been all this talk since the coup...everything from the jet ski boys changing their ways to eliminating all together...so far nothing has been done..they remain at large and the scams continue....Doesn't look like the army can crack this nut...

Yes, lots of talk . . . and NOW they are doing something about it . . . give it more than a few hours before you expect to see results . . .

all the talk coming from BKK where nobody knows the real truth as to how these guys behave...they have not and will not change their ways...I've been here 15 years and have seen it all ..even amongst all the talk over the years..and I'm seeing the new gound work in progress now and its nothing but cheap talk to pacify the critics...It's not changing!

I would really hope the whole jetski business is eradicated from the beaches here in Thailand... They are as useless as chlamydia !!!

big sale on in Kossan Road for merry elephant logo stamps

This thread seems like deja vu. Didn't we have this same exact announcement a few months ago? And i think a few of these same responses too!!

I would really hope the whole jetski business is eradicated from the beaches here in Thailand... They are as useless as chlamydia !!!

I once had a student named Chlamydia, and she was a top student. She got into 'Chewitforlongkorn University' to study "International Relationships and the Downfall of Hitler". She passed with flying colours, and became a jetski business operator, in the land of Phuckit. Makes a fortune nowadays, as her father is an army General - alledgedly.

Pls don't insult Thai nicknames or Mammoth Herpes, ( a current student ), may come to bite you.

Edit: and yes Taony you are indeed correct - exactly the same 3 times this clamp down this year. Problem is who are the implementers? Young solidiers get orders, go to follow them and see wads of cash infront of them.. from BIB and locals with locals.... and, under such a situ, I think we can gather the rest.

T.A.T have done nothing before to stop this after all the complaints that they were taken to them, they had an advertising campaign a couple of years back with pattaya jey skis's on the campaign with full knowledge that tourists were being threatened and scammed.

The army needs to take control of this , why are still operating with no insurance ? how will they control the scammers that are banned and continue to walk the beach offering cheap ski rides and then extorting extra money.

How are they going to stop the scammers who photoshop photo's while the jet ski is on the water ?

No one does anything to stop this because they are scared of the pattaya mafia .

thousands of people have been caught up in these scams over the years enough is enough.

Don't believe it...I'm in Phuket and there's been all this talk since the coup...everything from the jet ski boys changing their ways to eliminating all together...so far nothing has been done..they remain at large and the scams continue....Doesn't look like the army can crack this nut...

Yes, lots of talk . . . and NOW they are doing something about it . . . give it more than a few hours before you expect to see results . . .

all the talk coming from BKK where nobody knows the real truth as to how these guys behave...they have not and will not change their ways...I've been here 15 years and have seen it all ..even amongst all the talk over the years..and I'm seeing the new gound work in progress now and its nothing but cheap talk to pacify the critics...It's not changing!

What a bunch of whiners. the news is out for one hour and 13 minutes and we have people complaining of nothing happening and things they should do different.

It is like watching a three ring circus.

The Police (and above) are in on it, thats why it hasn't and probably won't change (sadly), it is too lucatrive.

This thread seems like deja vu. Didn't we have this same exact announcement a few months ago? And i think a few of these same responses too!!

Not really they announced that they were going to clamp down on the jet ski owners and had come to some sort of agreement with the operators.

This one is being more definite about what they are going to do. I haven't heard any complaints since the last announcement so I do wonder. It would seem that there has been some so they are increasing the pressure on the operators.

As for the same responses that is all they know how to say if it is Pro reform.

Seems to me they had to go at the taxi drivers three times. We were in Phuket two weeks ago and while I feel the cab prices where high as compared to here in Chiang Mai or Bangkok they were all the same. So apparently they have made some progress there. Didn't try the tuck tucks so can't say as to the price on them. We strictly cabbed it. Nephew paid.

Sorry, but I read the same pile of s@#t a couple of weeks back. In that article they mentioned the "Merry Elephant logo" and all the other policies they are going to enforce.

Where I live the Mafia run mini-buses stopped for a week or so. They're back up and running. Now they're hiding a bit farther round the corner (Victory Monument still) out of the armies sight.

Nothing is going to change with that or the jet skis.

Propaganda at it's finest..

Don't believe it...I'm in Phuket and there's been all this talk since the coup...everything from the jet ski boys changing their ways to eliminating all together...so far nothing has been done..they remain at large and the scams continue....Doesn't look like the army can crack this nut...

Yes, lots of talk . . . and NOW they are doing something about it . . . give it more than a few hours before you expect to see results . . .

all the talk coming from BKK where nobody knows the real truth as to how these guys behave...they have not and will not change their ways...I've been here 15 years and have seen it all ..even amongst all the talk over the years..and I'm seeing the new gound work in progress now and its nothing but cheap talk to pacify the critics...It's not changing!

Nobody expected the illegal restaurants on the beaches to be dismantled either. And yet now they're gone.

Why don't you be a little patient and see what happens rather then whining that it won't? One thing about the junta is they've kept their promises so far and when they say they'll do something, there's no long wait for the bureaucracy to take action, it gets done in a matter of weeks.

Don't believe it...I'm in Phuket and there's been all this talk since the coup...everything from the jet ski boys changing their ways to eliminating all together...so far nothing has been done..they remain at large and the scams continue....Doesn't look like the army can crack this nut...

Yes, lots of talk . . . and NOW they are doing something about it . . . give it more than a few hours before you expect to see results . . .

all the talk coming from BKK where nobody knows the real truth as to how these guys behave...they have not and will not change their ways...I've been here 15 years and have seen it all ..even amongst all the talk over the years..and I'm seeing the new gound work in progress now and its nothing but cheap talk to pacify the critics...It's not changing!

What a bunch of whiners. the news is out for one hour and 13 minutes and we have people complaining of nothing happening and things they should do different.

It is like watching a three ring circus.

Who's whining?...I know the truth when I see it...question is..why bother getting anybodys hopes up over a lot of false bravado?....It ain't happening....you wanna think it is, then go ahead and enjoy the lie

Don't believe it...I'm in Phuket and there's been all this talk since the coup...everything from the jet ski boys changing their ways to eliminating all together...so far nothing has been done..they remain at large and the scams continue....Doesn't look like the army can crack this nut...

Yes, lots of talk . . . and NOW they are doing something about it . . . give it more than a few hours before you expect to see results . . .

all the talk coming from BKK where nobody knows the real truth as to how these guys behave...they have not and will not change their ways...I've been here 15 years and have seen it all ..even amongst all the talk over the years..and I'm seeing the new gound work in progress now and its nothing but cheap talk to pacify the critics...It's not changing!

High season is coming, sure they talking that everything is Ok.....and next year they talking again......still waiting when cows learn to fly....but i dont hold my breath

The best way to deal with them is an ultimatum

Give them 3 weeks to clean up their act and if nothing has changed then ban them

Believe it or not the problem with this is that even on Pattaya beach there are actually a couple of genuine operators that don't abuse and scam - same goes for Koh Larn

Ban them. Everyone hates jet skis anyway, nasty noisy things. Beaches should be peaceful places with sailing craft.

The world's gone to shit.

The best way to deal with them is an ultimatum

Give them 3 weeks to clean up their act and if nothing has changed then ban them

Who will ban them? Do the side-incomes of such pious people in the positions they are ever cross your mind?

If you were Thai, and had a nice little side-liner paying you quite a few thousand baht a month, with the back up of you mates - whom incidentally you pay a paltry sum, but is a lot to them - would you ban what came as instruction from 200Km away, unless an army presence enforced it?

Me thinks not.... the ultimatum is to take all jet-skis off the beach, and monitor the beaches (which should be part and parcel anyway). Let people hire the skis, and if there is any damage (which is usually ZERO), THEN IT WOULD BE RECORDED LEGALLY as proof. However, this is lateral Western thinking.

Returning to the ultimatum - who would miss jet-skiing if it were banned altogether? Probably not tourists, as there's so much else to do in a few weeks holiday. Thus, no clean up act - simply ban them, and then let's see who postulates charges, against a crocodile perhaps?

we have heard this for years how can you believe any action will be taken on these bully boy violent crooks

"require that operators have at least a three-month legal business license tied to a permanent address as well as a valid insurance policy. In addition, certified supervisors with first-aid training must be present at all time."

Umm, this does nothing to stop them from scamming tourists. Introducing paper tiger and red herring number 36.

Congratulations, it really is a happier place now!

The best way to deal with them is an ultimatum

Give them 3 weeks to clean up their act and if nothing has changed then ban them

Who will ban them? Do the side-incomes of such pious people in the positions they are ever cross your mind?

If you were Thai, and had a nice little side-liner paying you quite a few thousand baht a month, with the back up of you mates - whom incidentally you pay a paltry sum, but is a lot to them - would you ban what came as instruction from 200Km away, unless an army presence enforced it?

Me thinks not.... the ultimatum is to take all jet-skis off the beach, and monitor the beaches (which should be part and parcel anyway). Let people hire the skis, and if there is any damage (which is usually ZERO), THEN IT WOULD BE RECORDED LEGALLY as proof. However, this is lateral Western thinking.

Returning to the ultimatum - who would miss jet-skiing if it were banned altogether? Probably not tourists, as there's so much else to do in a few weeks holiday. Thus, no clean up act - simply ban them, and then let's see who postulates charges, against a crocodile perhaps?

Of course they're going to do this with the army as back up and enforcement. Just like the dismantling of the illegal stalls on the beaches and almost everything, this will be enforced with soldiers. These gangsters may be tougher then the local government and may have them and the police in their pocket but I very much doubt they're going to be able to pay off the army and the NCPO or outfight them.

The best way to deal with them is an ultimatum

Give them 3 weeks to clean up their act and if nothing has changed then ban them

Who will ban them? Do the side-incomes of such pious people in the positions they are ever cross your mind?

If you were Thai, and had a nice little side-liner paying you quite a few thousand baht a month, with the back up of you mates - whom incidentally you pay a paltry sum, but is a lot to them - would you ban what came as instruction from 200Km away, unless an army presence enforced it?

Me thinks not.... the ultimatum is to take all jet-skis off the beach, and monitor the beaches (which should be part and parcel anyway). Let people hire the skis, and if there is any damage (which is usually ZERO), THEN IT WOULD BE RECORDED LEGALLY as proof. However, this is lateral Western thinking.

Returning to the ultimatum - who would miss jet-skiing if it were banned altogether? Probably not tourists, as there's so much else to do in a few weeks holiday. Thus, no clean up act - simply ban them, and then let's see who postulates charges, against a crocodile perhaps?

Of course they're going to do this with the army as back up and enforcement. Just like the dismantling of the illegal stalls on the beaches and almost everything, this will be enforced with soldiers. These gangsters may be tougher then the local government and may have them and the police in their pocket but I very much doubt they're going to be able to pay off the army and the NCPO or outfight them.

Police of course,,,,,,,,, you don't borrow 400,000 baht to become a police officer, and not make it pay back to family. What are a few tyrone little scuppers of army enforcement in none major places going to do about such? Think my prednisolone is affecting me - just as my ear-medicine....

Of course they're going to do this with the army as back up and enforcement. Just like the dismantling of the illegal stalls on the beaches and almost everything, this will be enforced with soldiers. These gangsters may be tougher then the local government and may have them and the police in their pocket but I very much doubt they're going to be able to pay off the army and the NCPO or outfight them.

Police of course,,,,,,,,, you don't borrow 400,000 baht to become a police officer, and not make it pay back to family. What are a few tyrone little scuppers of army enforcement in none major places going to do about such? Think my prednisolone is affecting me - just as my ear-medicine....

I think people underestimate what the army can do. No one expected anything to be done to the illegal stalls on the beaches either. Where are they now, pray tell? What about the taxi mafia? You think these little jetski thugs are any different?

Woo what a joke, rules and regulations with the same people enforcing them. Means now they have expanded authorities for extorting the money

The Police (and above) are in on it, thats why it hasn't and probably won't change (sadly), it is too lucatrive.

I can't understand it. they have had four and a half hours since they released it to the press why is not every Criminal in Thailand locked up?

I thought Yingluck was bad this lot of posters takes the cake 4 and 1/2 hours and they expect a miracle. How about letting them try to breath before you light the crematorium?

Rental shops complying with the new service standards will be issued with a Merry Elephant logo by the Department of Tourism to display. This emblem acts as a guarantee that they are trusted jet ski operators.

Slight error in the above quote... "Rental shops complying with the new service standards will be issued with a Merry Elephant logo by the Department of Tourism to display. This emblem acts as a guarantee that they are trusted jet ski operators scammers."

Fixed it.