Watch over our tourists: Australian envoy

[Thaivisa News]

Phuket:- The Australian ambassador to Thailand has asked relevant authorities to take good care of Australian tourists in Phuket following complaints from many that local operators of jet-ski rental services have extorted money from them.

Paul Robilliard, the Bangkok-based ambassador, has made the request during his recent meeting with Deputy Bangkok Governor Somkiat Sangkhaosuttirak and Siriporn Tantipanyathep, the head of the Phuket-based Office of Passport Division.

“Please ensure the safety of tourists’ lives and properties. Any claim for damages against the tourists should also be fair,” the Robilliard said on February 10 during his trip to the Thai southern province.

Somkiat reckons that there have been complaints that local operators demanded up to Bt100,000 compensation for damage to their jet skis from some tourists while repair cost should be just around Bt10,000 or Bt20,000.

According to him, about 300,000 Australians visited Phuket last year. The number went down from between 400,000 and 500,000 a year earlier. Phuket is world-famous for its blue sea and nice beach.

“We are now assuring the Australian embassy that we are committed to protecting the rights of Australian citizens here,” Somkiat says.

The deputy governor of Phuket says Robilliard has also asked local authorities to closely monitor if any Australian violates laws in the province.

“He has said that if any Australian engages in illegal activities such as money laundering, drug abuses and transnational crimes, Thai police should alert their Australian counterparts for further legal actions,” he adds.

[Cloggie]

Phuket - is there any POSITIVE news about this place on ThaiVisa?

If there is one place in Thailand that I would like to avoid at all time and cost it is Phuket.

[NextStationBangkok]

Why not Thailand suspend the license of "Jet Scammers", if they claim more than reasonable damage and if the dispute goes to court or comes to authority ?

I feel there is a criminal nexus between " Jet scammers <--> Police <--> Local authority ". So tourists have to face all of them to resolve the issue or pay 100,000 and you are absolutely free.

There are too many operators and most of them rude and criminals. I hope Army cleanup drive is still in force.

I had been to Phuket 6 years ago, will never return there. For the same expenditure another destination is better.

[Gillyflower]

Next time I go, I will be sure to have my Aus passport with me, so that they can be nice to me and take good care.

[White Christmas13]

Phuket is world-famous for its blue sea and nice beach.

What blue sea and nice beach ? I could name many good beaches in Australia or all over the world

and by the way the sea is not blue unless you put ink in it

[Jonmarleesco]

'... local operators demanded up to Bt100,000 compensation for damage to their jet skis ...' And that's assuming the vehicle wasn't already damaged.

[Crazy chef 1]

no need to ask-the friendly local tuk tuk drivers, beach attendants and employees of the entertainment business will take special care anyway...

[killbill]

'... local operators demanded up to Bt100,000 compensation for damage to their jet skis ...' And that's assuming the vehicle wasn't already damaged.

I am reading my rental contract for motorbike; at 200 b/day.

Hirer is responsible for any damage; maximum payable is 15.000 bath. Hiring jet skis at 1000 bath (?) an hour should have a similar contract. Since earlier post state that you need licence to do this business, then a similar written contract should be requirement from local authorities.

[Lokie]

Since when does the cost of repairs come into it? Fact is if the punter has not damaged the jet ski then there should be no charge. As said many times before if no one was daft enough to hire these noisy crappy things then they would eventually go away... They will never be truly licencened or govened in a legal sense as long as money can be taken from farang - HAPPY!

[louse1953]

Alert Australian authorities so they can get in on the glory.Do Australian police alert Thai police before they bust Thais in Oz.Australian cooperation with Indo police is getting 2 Australians hung in the near future.