Jet ski operators back on beaches of Phuket

[webfact]

Jet ski operators back on beaches of Phuket
Saran Mitrarat


Back in action: Phuket's jet-skis have proven resilient to pressure.

PHUKET: -- Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsap has denied that her administration is allowing any businesses back on the beach, after questions have been raised about jet-ski activities following the massive beach clean-up.

But, she explained, activities such as jet-skis and parasailing fall across the lines of responsibility of the Municipality (on the beach) and the Marine department (on the water).

In any case, she told The Phuket News on Tuesday morning (September 23), “In the order [from the NCPO] for the beach reorganisation project, jet-ski operators had no problem since the beginning, [because they were not mentioned in the orders].

“The reorganisation to return the beach to the public involved only beach loungers and umbrellas, [masseuses and food and drink merchants] not water activities,” she explained.

“All of the beach umbrellas have been moved out and there are no more booths on the beach. But as for the jet-skis, we have never allowed them to install sales booths on the beach,” she added.

Her comments came in response to an email to The Phuket News from a reader, who asked not to be named.

In his email he wrote, “For a short period they were banned but now they are back on the beach and operating in the same illegal manner. How is that possible?

“They park them right on the beach – lining up five to 15 units on their trailers and hawking rides to everybody who [goes by].

“They always park right in front of the swimming zone (because that’s where there is the largest number of potential customers), and this leads to customers starting right off into the swimming area.”

He added, “In Kata this morning there were about eight at the north end, and at Karon, too, there are many. A friend told me Surin beach has up to 30 of them.”

“The new practice now is to occupy all the space in the shade under the trees so beachgoers can no longer enjoy the shade because it is occupied by parked jet-skis.”

Jet-ski operators, he noted, also refuel their machines on the beach and even in the water.

Mayor Chalermluck said, “Since I have been mayor, we have never allowed any businesses to operate on the beach.” But, she admitted, “Business operators might move in when we are not checking or not paying full attention.

“Thank you for letting me know. I will assign a civil enforcement team to inspect there more frequently. But any action in the water is not my responsibility,” she added.

Sakorn Pukham from the Phuket Marine Office said that there is a line of buoys to separate the jet ski and parasailing zone from the swimming zone. “These two activities are nowhere near each other.”

He said that the Marine Office had set an area for swimming and Patong Municipality had installed buoys to mark it.

“But sometimes Patong Beach has strong winds that may alter the lines of the buoys and cause confusion among beachgoers.

“If anyone has complaints about fuel leaking from a jet-ski onto the sea, we would encourage them to take pictures and sent them to Marine Office.”

Mr Sakorn added that since this issue has environmental implications, any action would also have to involve the Office of Natural Resources and Environment.

Complaints and photographs may be sent by post to Phuket Marine Office, 88/5 Saksidet Rd, Wichit, Muang, Phuket 83000, or by email.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/jet-ski-operators-back-on-beaches-of-phuket-48854.php

-- Phuket News 2014-09-24

[lee b]

Just take the jet skis off them and smash them to pieces. Lets face it thats what they tell the customers they have done when they return to the beach ! And continue to do this until these lot get the message.

[NomadJoe]

Back? They never left. (Except maybe a couple days in Patong.)

It seems very odd that the NCPO orders to clean up the island and it's reputation did not include, if not specifically then at least generally, jet ski's seeing as they damage the image of Phuket and Thailand, create the most negative comments second perhaps only to tuk tuks and taxis. Since it is illegal to operate a Thai flagged vessel in Thai waters without a Thai captains license, this is a no brainier. They make a small number of people a lot of money in the process. It just makes no sense whatsoever to keep them. The only explanation is they are paying big money to officials and police to continue operating. The NCPO claims to be on a huge anti-corruption drive, but they are missing a big opportunity here. They can start with the Marine Office 5, if only they can catch .Director Phuripat with his foot out of his mouth.

Edited September 24, 2014 by NomadJoe

[steelepulse]

If I didn't know better, I'd say good old Marine Office 5 loves tea. For the life of me, I can't recall one good thing that has happened under this guy's watch. Why isn't he enforcing the law which requires anyone riding a jet ski to have a Thai marine license ( whatever it's called)? It can't be because of the tea, could it?

These jet ski and parasail hooligans are taking over the beach and don't even dare to put your stuff down where they are operating, or you'll immediately have a problem with a group surrounding you telling you to move if you know what's good for you.

[almafudd]

"activities such as jet-skis and parasailing fall across the lines of responsibility of the Municipality (on the beach) and the Marine department (on the water)"

"He said that the Marine Office had set an area for swimming and Patong Municipality had installed buoys to mark it."

But the buoys are IN THE WATER

[NomadJoe]

If I didn't know better, I'd say good old Marine Office 5 loves tea. For the life of me, I can't recall one good thing that has happened under this guy's watch. Why isn't he enforcing the law which requires anyone riding a jet ski to have a Thai marine license ( whatever it's called)? It can't be because of the tea, could it?

These jet ski and parasail hooligans are taking over the beach and don't even dare to put your stuff down where they are operating, or you'll immediately have a problem with a group surrounding you telling you to move if you know what's good for you.

Yep. This guy has jurisdiction over a great number of problems, none of which ever seem to get sorted.

[jacko45k]

Better not get there early and put your towel down under the pleasant shade of the trees...... you will be in a world of trouble from the new owners!

[thhMan]

It says a lot for Thai Authority.

Nobody has much time for them as they have no time for the people.

In many places, if people assigned to do a job, fail to do it, then they are removed. Whats the point of paying them a salary?

[Arkady]

But, she explained, activities such as jet-skis and parasailing fall across the lines of responsibility of the Municipality (on the beach) and the Marine department (on the water).

I am sure the mayor is doing her best to keep them off the beach but the Marine Dept is responsible for letting their machines back on the water.

[belg]

and i tought those were illegal in thailand ...

ah, sweet smell & taste of corruption

where laws means nothing if you know the right people

[BlackJack]

excuse number 3, 50, 87, 435 and 509

[slygeeza]

too much money in this scam, it will never go away

[Carrerakiss]

But, she explained, activities such as jet-skis and parasailing fall across the lines of responsibility of the Municipality (on the beach) and the Marine department (on the water).

I am sure the mayor is doing her best to keep them off the beach but the Marine Dept is responsible for letting their machines back on the water.

Don't they get their machines to the water across the beach?

Don't they solicit customers on the beach?

Don't they accept money from customers on the beach?

Don't they park their machines on the beach?

Don't they scam people for damages on the beach?

Seems to be the Mayor is just trying to duck her responsibility. More than enough happens on the beach for her to have it stopped if she wanted. As for the marine guy, not worth a moments thought.

But of course it is going to need a permanent government presence to stop these guys coming back. The minute nobody is watching, they'll be there. The penalty for getting caught is too low even assuming it was levied.

[KOZMO]

But, she explained, activities such as jet-skis and parasailing fall across the lines of responsibility of the Municipality (on the beach) and the Marine department (on the water).

I am sure the mayor is doing her best to keep them off the beach but the Marine Dept is responsible for letting their machines back on the water.

Don't know who should be changed; the mayor, the marine dept. or both???

[Time Traveller]

The authorities attitude is who cares? it's only the tourists and thailand's reputation that lose out. Let them suffer.

[Billy The Kid]

The worldwide airlines who had a route to Thailand should have a scam warning leaflet on every seat on the flight bound for Bangkok.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Billy The Kid

[dieseldave1951]

its a grand case of passing the buck, typical the poor general for all the good he is trying is surrounded by clowns and back handers brigade

[jesimps]

The authorities attitude is who cares? it's only the tourists and thailand's reputation that lose out. Let them suffer.

The Phuket beach cleanup is the big deal the junta fanatics on here throw at you when bumming them up. Seems like more smoke and mirrors to me.

[wabothai]

The mayor is scared of reprisals and i don't blame her.

This is a job for the army with lots of machine guns.

May be the thugs listen them.

[Arkady]

But, she explained, activities such as jet-skis and parasailing fall across the lines of responsibility of the Municipality (on the beach) and the Marine department (on the water).

I am sure the mayor is doing her best to keep them off the beach but the Marine Dept is responsible for letting their machines back on the water.

Don't they get their machines to the water across the beach?

Don't they solicit customers on the beach?

Don't they accept money from customers on the beach?

Don't they park their machines on the beach?

Don't they scam people for damages on the beach?

Seems to be the Mayor is just trying to duck her responsibility. More than enough happens on the beach for her to have it stopped if she wanted. As for the marine guy, not worth a moments thought.

But of course it is going to need a permanent government presence to stop these guys coming back. The minute nobody is watching, they'll be there. The penalty for getting caught is too low even assuming it was levied.

Let's give the lady mayoress the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the jet skis are operated from boats in the bay and tourists have to swim out to them.

Anyway she is am improvement over her predecessor who is now helping police with their enquiries into racketeering charges along with his adorable son.

[Tuskfish]

If they are going to take away someones livelihood based on regulations they aren't willing to follow through on, why is this even newsworthy?

The article should be titled "Thai regulations yet again aren't enforced"

[stevenl]

But, she explained, activities such as jet-skis and parasailing fall across the lines of responsibility of the Municipality (on the beach) and the Marine department (on the water).

I am sure the mayor is doing her best to keep them off the beach but the Marine Dept is responsible for letting their machines back on the water.

Don't know who should be changed; the mayor, the marine dept. or both???

The mayor seems to be trying very hard to clean things up up there in Patong.

[Joe Black]

Whenever I meet a newcomer to Thailand of all the advice I could give , I just tell the them " never use jetskies ".

[gyrosman]

Mayor Chalermluck said, “Since I have been mayor, we have never allowed any businesses to operate on the beach. I lived in Patong for a year, besides the crowded beach area with vendors taking all the shade for equipment, dirty areas, no water for cleaning etc...

The Mayor must live someplace else if he can't see the jet-skis on his way to work. When you go in the water you can taste the gas from the ski's, drunks riding close to the swim areas. He has no control of what goes on the water, fair enough, but what do call parking all of your crap on the beach (AKA; SAND), NOT WATER. What is the Mayor's problem, is he legally blind?

[gyrosman]

If she can't do the job, with the image and balance of millions of tourist dollars at stake,well, maybe she should get a job selling used beach chairs back to CHINA.

The mayor is scared of reprisals and i don't blame her.
This is a job for the army with lots of machine guns.
May be the thugs listen them.

[Beetlejuice]

There has been a multitude of bad publicity and warnings regarding these jetski scams over the years, from an array of different sources, so the simple solution is that tourists do not hire the jetskis and avoid the beaches where the operators impose on space provided for sun lounging and swimming activities.

Problem solved.

[BernieOnTour]

TIT

Chasing away the businesses with beach chairs and umbrellas supplying the shade, without which nearly no westerner will survive the sun, and the mom and pop restaurants for a small snack in between,

- but allowing these gangsters to park their jet skis on the beach...

Sure - tourist numbers in Thailand will increase tremendously ROFL

[Travelman868]

Strong wind can move buoys and create confusion !!! hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Take photos of refueling, good idea, at least you not get beaten for

damaging Jet Ski and not paying.

These bandits must be paying huge Tea Money

[BestBitterPhuket]

It is interesting to notice how these mayors and governors always use phrases like its not my responsibility or it can't be solved. Is it a case of can't or won't?

[Andre0720]

Must be some good news to report somewhere....