PM wants action against rogue jet-ski operators

[Lite Beer]

PM wants action against rogue jet-ski operators
Khampanart Khantrakul,
Supakorn Akkhanant,
Mattana Laddasiriphorn
The Sunday Nation

Tourists enjoy riding jet skis during their vacation in Thailand.

BANGKOK: -- While Thailand is attracting tourists because of its beautiful beaches and wide variety of water sports, the country's jet ski rental businesses have become notorious after it emerged some operators were extorting money from tourists.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha brought the issue to the public's attention on Friday during his weekly nationally televised programme "Returning Happiness to the People". He urged relevant authorities to deal with the problem at seaside resorts such as Pattaya and Phuket.

The extortionists reportedly knowingly allow tourists to use unsafe jet skis and when accidents occur they demand exaggerated "compensation" payouts for "damage" caused to the vehicle and on occasion they have assaulted people or even robbed them.

At a recent meeting in Pattaya involving acting Provincial Police Bureau Region 2 Commissioner Sanit Mahathavorn, relevant agencies and jet ski operators, the following was determined:

- It needs to be determined if a machine was damaged due to a crash occurring because of its poor condition or because the rider was at fault.

- Tourists generally lack experience riding jet skis.

- Operators often charge full price even though tourists return the vehicle before the deadline.

- Some operators damage jet skis and if there is a crash they demand compensation.

- Some tourists have lost their belongings after leaving them with the operators.

So far, this year, there have been 54 complaints lodged against operators - 44 of which ended in settlements while the rest ended with civil lawsuits, the meeting was told. Most of the alleged victims were from India, China and Oman.

Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room to support fair negotiations, investigating suspect operators and requiring all operators to be insured.

There will also be a campaign in a bid to make more operators service-minded and an investigative team will be set up to handle cases.

The Provincial Port Office's Pattaya director Rewat Phoriang said his office would establish zones for water sports to operate in the northern, central and southern parts of the city so jet-ski operators could monitor themselves. Rewat said that if any zone had a problem, the whole zone would be closed for up to a week.

Officials would register 500 jet skis to ensure good standards.

Pattaya Business and Tourism Association president Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn said the city had proposed a ministerial regulation to properly control jet-ski services.

Phetchaburi's Cha-am City mayor Nukul Pornsomboonsiri cited as a possible solution to the problem the mirroring of a club his office and operators had established at Cha-am Beach.

All operators along the beach post clear price signs at the club, which punishes members who inappropriately treat visitors, he said. The club's president, Montri Meerit, said the club had 125 jet-ski operator members and the beach area was divided into six zones so the area could be monitored efficiently and any tourist complaint could be dealt with in a timely fashion.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/PM-wants-action-against-rogue-jet-ski-operators-30242167.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-31

[DrLom]

"Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room"

[Bulldozer Dawn]

If a backhoe can be used to illegal beachside businesses in Phuket, why can it not also be used to smash jet skis?

[Bulldozer Dawn]

I wonder what the General's evening speech will contain once all of the issues reported here by Thai Visa members are already addressed?

[chooka]

"Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room"

Yes that way the extortion can be conducted in private away from witnesses where they will not tarnish Thailand's reputation.

Edited August 31, 2014 by chooka

[DrLom]

I wonder what the General's evening speech will contain once all of the issues reported here by Thai Visa members are already addressed?

Maybe, "It's been established by Pattaya police that all rogue jet-ski operators are farang, who have no idea how to pilot them?"

[NongKhaiKid]

The PM wants action ?

Surely these days isn't it a case of what this PM wants, this PM gets ?

[lemonjelly]

Ban jet-ski's altogether and let all the retards involved in the business (I include customers in this probably short lived post) go and find other means of income/entertainment.

[DrLom]

"Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room"

Yes that way the extortion can be conducted in private away from witnesses there not tarnishing Thailand's reputation.

"Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha brought the issue to the public's attention on Friday"

Foreign diplomats and tourists have been making this issue public for years and years. The world has known about it years and Thailand just found out on Friday?

Just goes to prove if a diplomat raises a concern then Thailand sings lalalalalala don't want to hear go away stupid foreigner.

I'd like to think I said that in 1 sentence, and not 4.

[chooka]

"Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room"

Yes that way the extortion can be conducted in private away from witnesses there not tarnishing Thailand's reputation.

"Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha brought the issue to the public's attention on Friday"

Foreign diplomats and tourists have been making this issue public for years and years. The world has known about it years and Thailand just found out on Friday?

Just goes to prove if a diplomat raises a concern then Thailand sings lalalalalala don't want to hear go away stupid foreigner.

I'd like to think I said that in 1 sentence, and not 4.

My apologies. I responded to your post in my 1st line and then added some for myself instead of starting a new post.

No offence intended and will edit my post.

[chooka]

"Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha brought the issue to the public's attention on Friday"

Foreign diplomats and tourists have been making this issue public for years and years. The world has known about it years and Thailand just found out on Friday?

Just goes to prove if a diplomat raises a concern then Thailand sings lalalalalala don't want to hear go away stupid foreigner.

[kriswillems]

Since the scam has been going on for many years, it's almost impossible to believe the police is not in it.

A settlement room is a very bad idea, because it will only make the scams easier.

The scam has reached such a level that even many Thai embassies have folders to warn against hiring jet-skies.

The jet-skis should have insurance and the insurance should cover all damage in all cases.

It's as simple as that. I don't see the problem.

PS. For me the top priority the general should address is the traffic - much more people die in the traffic than in the South. I can live without hiring jet-skies, but I can't live if a 20 ton tuck crashes into my car or motorcycle. The number of traffic deaths in Thailand is the second highest in the world.

Edited August 31, 2014 by kriswillems

[Crazy chef 1]

Since the scam has been going on for many years, it's almost impossible to believe the police is not in it.

A settlement room is a very bad idea, because it will only make the scams easier.

The scam has reached such a level that even many Thai embassies have folders to warn against hiring jet-skies.

The jet-skis should have insurance and the insurance should cover all damage in all cases.

It's as simple as that. I don't see the problem.

PS. For me the top priority the general should address is the traffic - much more people die in the traffic than in the South. I can live without hiring jet-skies, but I can't live if a 20 ton tuck crashes into my car or motorcycle. The number of traffic deaths in Thailand is the second highest in the world.

if only the reported ones are counted-maybe Nr2.

i think the top priority is the education of the masses,they have to change the whole mind set .and this ain't gonna happen in a short time but every way begins with the first step.

[StealthEnergiser]

"Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha brought the issue to the public's attention on Friday during his weekly nationally televised programme "Returning Happiness to the People". He urged relevant authorities to deal with the problem at seaside resorts such as Pattaya and Phuket"

That is not enough the authorities will be controlled by the mafia as usual. Most of these scams i pattaya at least don't get to the authorities because the innocent tourist has already paid up extortion money , had his life threatened and he won't talk.

In my opinion also the authorities are in on it or to scared to do anything. police have been proven to be in on it if you look at the famous video.

First thing happens is they take your passport and and ask hotel details (these hotels details also help the scammer to know how much money the tourist should have.)

The new laws look way to soft these mafia will still win as they will not allow tourists them to get off the beach safely and make complaints.

I hope Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has been advised it is not even safe to take Photo's on pattaya beach around the jet ski's especially when negotiatons are going on.

I also hope Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha realises that the scammers have lookouts all along the beach including chair operators reporting to them when authorities are coming.

They have also at times set up different people on jet skis to have accidents and blame the other person.

It really good to see what is happening to Thailand under General Prayuth Chan-ocha but his soft approach on the jet ski scammers is very disapointing.

[StealthEnergiser]

Included in the new laws will Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha still allow tourists to rent uninsured jet ski's ?

Why are jet ski operators allowed to operate with out insurance ?

[daveAustin]

Only a bloke like this can take on this scum as it is backed by police and other figures.

[thesetat2013]

"Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room"

Yes that way the extortion can be conducted in private away from witnesses where they will not tarnish Thailand's reputation.

From what i was told by a friend who got scammed for this in Pattaya. He called the tourist police and they demanded he pay as well. It seems to me that any law Prayuth makes is irrelevant as long as the police support the people they will get a percentage from.

My friend had said they accused him of scratching the bottom of the jet ski and the scratch already had algae in it yet the police forced him to pay 30000 baht out of which the police got 10000. At no time did the police want to hear his side and was threatened to have his passport taken if he didnt pay...

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Bluespunk]

" the country's jet ski rental businesses have become notorious after it emerged some operators were extorting money from tourists."

Some operators? It's a lot more than some.

[smedly]

unfortunately they are missing the vital part of this scam, yes accidents happen - yes not everyone is skilled - yes they are extorting excessive money from those that genuinely have an accident and are getting no backup from the police........but -

The by far the biggest issue here is the fact that these jetskis are already damaged when the person hires them and as they are being released/helped to launch the craft bits of rubber - bodywork are being ripped off by the operator so that they can blame the tourist when they return for damage they didn't do or if the tourist doesn't take a photo of every part of the machine they are being accused of causing damage that was already there - these scrapes - missing bodywork etc have also been inspected by police who have seen the same claimed damage on each machine hundreds of times

I can just see these thugs at the meetings - but if tourist damage machine they have to pay - that is really not what is at play here

[ginjag]

"Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room"

Jet Ski, GET INSURANCE, no police settlement rooms for tea money.

[StealthEnergiser]

Not that it would make a lot of difference but if anybody has a facebook account this thread should be linked to a the Amazing Thailand Face Book and also NACC if they have facebook this information needs to get to the authorities connected to Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

[bino]

If a backhoe can be used to illegal beachside businesses in Phuket, why can it not also be used to smash jet skis?

+1

This was my exact first thought also when I read the headline.

[StealthEnergiser]

Plenty of information here where the authorities have done nothing for years .

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/499932-jet-ski-scam-pattaya-when-will-it-stop/

[bino]

"Pattaya police have set guidelines relating to the issue including establishing a settlement room"

Yes that way the extortion can be conducted in private away from witnesses where they will not tarnish Thailand's reputation.

Can't you just imagine it? I envision a harshly lit interrogation room with a one way window in the wall that is totally intended to scare the hell out of the tourists and convince them to open up their wallet to the tune of whatever is demanded from them.

[CUNJU]

Never going to see an end to the Scams! End of Story!!

[NongKhaiKid]

Interesting report on television last week on the Jamaican authorities setting about jet ski operators there following a couple of fatal accidents.

Hiring was costing up to USS300 an hour and operators suffered when all jet skis were ordered to be taken out of the water until properly registered etc but that does not cover for hiring out which requires an additional licence.

I don't know about Jamaica and how difficult or otherwise it might be to get the appropriate documentation or how rigorous follow up enforcement will be.

Wonder how that would work if applied here ?

[tartempion]

If no one would rent the stupid jet-skis there would be no scam

[harrry]

I think the police may need the settlement room to sort out which inactive post they will be occupying if they do not take real action this time.

[drand11]

Such easy shit to deal with..IF Govt wants to deal w it. Why not just require:

- jet ski businesses bid to city for rights for offering services.

- Lowest prices wins contract for a year ( Protects tourists)

- mandatory insurance to cover ALL personal & mechanical damages..so tourist is protected.

[tomacht8]

The scam has been running for years.

They jet- ski- lenders like to take your passport as a deposit.

They use it as leverage to enforce excessive damage claims.

This is criminal and illegal.

For driving a jet ski, it is also a driving license required.

99% of all Jet Ski drivers have no driving license.

They jet- ski- lenders do not care about this.

This is simply illegal.

All jet skis should have a damage insurance.

They usually do not have such an insurance,

and which insurance company would engage in such a damage oriented business?

In addition to the noise, the danger to others in the water, the ecological mess, the smell of gasoline at the beach,
that's in the sum an illegal business without certificates, driving licenses and insurance.

As long as here is not ensured an independent quality monitoring and an effective and independent customer protection,
they should just ban the jet skis.
The local police as mediation and monitoring center is not suitable here.
Many are still intertwined through friendship and family relationships with the jet ski lenders..

It is the best not to hire a jet ski.

I think the trouble : fun ratio is 1:10.

15 minutes Jetski idioty is not worth it, to bring the whole holiday budget at risk.