Phuket authorities ‘doing nothing about jet-ski rips offs’ – Hon Con
Alasdair Forbes

Martin Carpenter (Phuket News file photo)

PHUKET: There is no evidence that the powers that be in Phuket are taking any steps to rein in the activities of the island’s jet-ski mafia, Britain’s Honorary Consul, Martin Carpenter, said yesterday evening (November 21).

Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce forum at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket, held to discuss marine tourism, Mr Carpenter said, “There is no current evidence that anybody in the government sector here really is taking this issue as seriously as many people want them to take it.”

He said that he had sat in meetings between honorary consuls and provincial governors for six years and the problems of jet-ski rip-offs, extortion and dangerous behaviour had been discussed many times, but that nothing significant had been done.

Saying, “I do hope that somebody makes notes, and I’m quite happy for you to write what I’m saying now.”

Speaking to The Phuket News afterwards, he explained, “I’ve tried to get the problem addressed through the proper channels but with no results so now I’m trying a different approach to get someone’s attention.”

Larry Cunningham, former Australian Honorary Consul, and his German counterpart Dirk Naumann – now both retired – were both forthright about jet-skis, making extortion in particular a major issue during their tenures, but little was done.

Insurance to cover minor damage to jet-skis inflicted by tourists was introduced but tourists are ften unaware off it, and are still frequently bullied into paying hundreds of thousands of baht to repair minor scratches that in many cases already existed before they rented the machine.

Cunningham was so vocal that jet-ski operators would halve their demands if the tourists agreed not to get him involved. But the practice continues.

Jet-ski operators and staff have also been accused of driving machines dangerously, ploughing through swimming areas, endangering swimmers including children.

And, after being told to take their sales stands and trailers off Phuket’s beaches as part of the Army-backed expulsion of commerce from the beaches, the jet-skis are now returning, apparently with no sanctions from local authorities or the Marine Department.

The department’s chief, Phuriphat Teerakulpisut, recently threatened to ban jet-skis if there were any more dangerous incidents but has taken no action so far to back up his words.

A Russian tourist died on November 3 after crashing his rented jet-ski off Patong Beach.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-authorities-%E2%80%98doing-nothing-about-jet-ski-rips-offs%E2%80%99-hon-con-49771.php

-- Phuket News 2014-11-22

Wow!

I like this guy.

Wow!

I like this guy.

I agree with u in this guy

Speaking out good on him

Nice to hear someone saying it as it is ... wish Mark Kent would be a little more vocal in the same way and standing up for us Brits here rather than simply spouting the same tired old nothing platitudes ...

Things are not really changing here and probably never will in my lifetime, because our "hosts" simply don't think they need to change anything (as Thailand and it's people are perfect, in their minds) and they never listen to or respect anyone that is not a Thai, except perhaps if they are Chinese.

As long as the powers that be get their significant cut from jet ski revenue, nothing will change. Too much money to be made for them.

As it has always been...a thorough disgrace which goes all the way to the top of the crooked authorities that manage Phuket.........

Soon the beach vendors and umbrella mafia will be back too!....

I will never go back there..........!!

As it has always been...a thorough disgrace which goes all the way to the top of the crooked authorities that manage Phuket.........

Soon the beach vendors and umbrella mafia will be back too!....

I will never go back there..........!!

I've never been there and have no intentions of going!

Oh please God , I wish we had this guy in Pattaya . Welcom with open arms .

Hey Prayuth! I thought you were going to get rid of police corruption and the island mafia.

This is why Thailand will continue to fall behind its competitors in Asia. It's the Mexico of Asia.

As long as the powers that be get their significant cut from jet ski revenue, nothing will change. Too much money to be made for them.

Perhaps somebody in the area should surreptitiously create some local fly publicity. I think guerrilla media tactics are called for!

Wow!

I like this guy.

I like him too but if he makes to many headlines he will be gone. Always remember a Thai government can instruct the embassy to get him dropped over night. It should be the embassy that comes out with the story as a Hon Cons can be over night removed

Hey Prayuth! I thought you were going to get rid of police corruption and the island mafia.

This is why Thailand will continue to fall behind its competitors in Asia. It's the Mexico of Asia.

And just who are Mexico's competitors that it has fallen behind?

We've been hearing about the jet-ski Mafia in Phuket since the Vikings landed in Newfoundland. If anyone is stupid enough in 2014 to still rent a jet-ski in Phuket, well, let them.

Have to watch his back, but good to hear, but i fear nothing will be done tell every body you know avoid the scum.

Who do you think owns the jetskis and boats?

Who do you think owns the jetskis and boats?

You tell us.

Who do you think owns the jetskis and boats?

You tell us.

Its NOT the guys on the beaches, its the corrupt government officials. Why do you think nothing has been done about them in Phuket or Pattaya?

Did he really expect any action, how long has he lived in Thailand, he should know better

Tourists are to blame for hiring them in the first place. Stop hiring them and starve them them off the beach.

Is this info on any british government website ?

Same Same This Is Thailand

Of course nothing will be done. The only hope is that travel web sites will highlight this on going scam loud and clear as will travel agents and tour guides although they are probably in on the

scam too.What a country ! I thought 15 years ago when I first arrived some progress v corruption may have been made in fact just the opposite and frankly the majority of Thais don't really care.

We've been hearing about the jet-ski Mafia in Phuket since the Vikings landed in Newfoundland. If anyone is stupid enough in 2014 to still rent a jet-ski in Phuket, well, let them.

An unfair comment as a farmer from the middle of Texas or Middle of Australia would probably have no idea of the scams, have booked thru travel agencies 5 times to Thailand and not once have i been warned of scams.

maybe tickets should have warnings or travel insurance issue warnings, also departure cards to Thailand from around the world should have warnings.

Tourists are to blame for hiring them in the first place. Stop hiring them and starve them them off the beach.

Blame the victims. I assume u think it's the girls fault for wearing a short skirt if she gets raped as well?

Really expect something to happen? TIT! Much moving of mouth to media to keep happiness for Thai people but nothing actually changes. Far removed from the real world around them.

To many snouts in the trough?

The corruption seems to go all the way to the top.

The non dictator did some stuff early in his non dictatorship just to fool people into non resistance while taking control.

Now he is doing his stand up act while his organization and partners rob the country.

I can't prove it. But what else could be going on? He clearly is not doing what he claims to be doing.

Tourists are to blame for hiring them in the first place. Stop hiring them and starve them them off the beach.

It's the victim's fault?

Yes, we will stop corruption! The use of the word, only

Same old Phuk et.

Want Thailand to listen? Fat hope unless serious trade sanctions are heavily pounded on them to wake up these government officials otherwise they would never learn. Thailand is country full of talks and phototakings but no actions!