Koh Samet: No mafia here say operators as tourist arrivals tumble

[webfact]

Koh Samet: No mafia here say operators as tourist arrivals tumble

 

Pictures: Thairath

 

KOH SAMET: -- An angry meeting of tourism operators on Koh Samet yesterday said there was no mafia in Rayong and none on the island.

 

And they challenged the head of the national parks to name names saying that spreading unfounded rumors about the island is only damaging tourism, reports Thairath.

 

Some operators - notably jetskis - said that tourism had been hit drastically since word about the mafia was spread. While others claimed that tourist arrivals were down 80-90%.

 

The claims came as the military prepared to claim back the island after after what they see as years of corruption, encroachment and illegal activity - much of which was openly denied at yesterday's crisis meeting of operators at the Khao Laem Ya - Koh Samet local office on the island.

 

Officials have served notice about encroachment to some two dozen businesses. Half have accepted that they have encroached and will move but the other half are contesting that they are doing anything wrong.

 

 

A memorandum of understanding about Phakjira Thongkhao-orn of Sai Kaew Villa 2 led the way saying that the idea that mafia were controlling the island was a myth and had caused tourist arrivals to drop drastically by 80-90%.

 

Representatives of the jetski businesses - that have effectively been told to clear off from the national park - were equally vociferous.

 

They said the idea that mafia was in control was "rubbish" and even "funny". They said that virtually no tourists were coming now and it was deathly quiet on the island.

 

They said that claims about the mafia running the place had only caused trouble.

 

Meanwhile boat operators claimed they were doing nothing illegal. It was stated that 100 speedboats and other boats had permission from the harbor authorities to operate.

 

Last week it was stated that only one had the proper permission and speedboat operations would be shut down along with most of the jetties they use.

 

Speakers at the meeting called on the chief of Thailand's National Parks authority Nattaphon Rattanaphon to stop spreading rumors about the mafia. 

 

They said he should name mafia figures and people with influence so they can be prosecuted rather than spread ideas in the news that had a terrible effect on tourism and the image of the island.

 

They claimed the governor of the province Surasak Jaroensirichot agrees with them and said that he and other officials have been working hard over the last few years to rid the province of dark figures involved in corruption.

 

Source: Thairath

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-11-22

[JoePai]

[Maverell]

I suppose its all to do with how people define 'mafia'

[impulse]

On an aside, are the jet ski scams as prevalent on Samet as they are (were?) by Mike's in Pattaya?

[Seismic]

I stopped going to Samet 15 years ago, it was heading the same way as Samui, Phuket and now Koh Chang also. Its all about making money, they have no respect for the land or the environment.

[borisloosebrain]

They says there's no Mafia ....then say they've been working hard the last few years to get rid of dark figures and corruption. i.e.: Mafia.....55555 can't anyone just talk straight !

[mortenaa]

No Mafia? Haha. Ask one of the taxi drivers on the island. He'll give you an honest opinion. 

[Bangkok Barry]

So why were the 80 officials removed? And why did takings in August rise dramatically once they were moved out? No word of course about the corrupt officials being prosecuted though. That would be a step too far I suppose.

[smedly]

No Mafia.........it is so endemic they don't even see that it is there

[siam2007]

As any goods, services and accommodation on Samet are so ridiculously overpriced and the quality delivered miserable, this is a crystal clear indication that a Mafia is running the show

[NoBrainer]

So there is no Mafia, but officials have been working hard over the last few years to rid the province of dark figures involved in corruption.

 

So I suppose that due to the lack of Mafia, a lot of dark figures, and other influential persons, moved in to take over all the scams and encroachment then.

 

Case Closed.

[elgordo38]

Somebody's nose is growing over this statement. Must check a recent picture of the TAT lady. 

[jimstar1]

Thai Joke of the Month  No Mafia  555555555555

[Lupatria]

Even though Sicily is part of the much hated west, they adopt the name change: There is no Mafia there is only "La Familia".

[recom273]

surely they don't mean us?

[kingstonkid]

As one that goes to Samed every year it is nice in certain areas.  I do agree though that many bars and businesses have buit onto the beach and ruin it.

 

The first time I went was just nasty.  No place to lay down and busy as hell

 

The other location I now use is at the far end of the island quiet with only one hotel and n o bars

[spermwhale]

Thai journalism at its finest. How many times did the writer tell us the people said there was no mafia on the island. Robots

 

[Redline]

Kick them off, tear it down, and confiscate everything that is still on the island after d-day.  Bye bye

[chinostar]

They are all saints now....

Just look at angel face, so innocent.

[riceyummm]

Tourism is down? Might be a good time to visit. 

I went there regularly when I lived in Pattaya but with the prices, garbage, sewage, etc increasing it lost it's charm. Living in Khon Kaen now so not very convenient but I may give it another try in January.

[sandgroper2]

3 hours ago, Seismic said:

I stopped going to Samet 15 years ago, it was heading the same way as Samui, Phuket and now Koh Chang also. Its all about making money, they have no respect for the land or the environment.

I still enjoy Samet, why should i worry who owns the resort, and of course they are there to make money. To say otherwise rediculous. The land the resort it built on? Doesnt affect my stay there one bit. The bars, the beer is just as cold no matter if mafia owns the place , or not. Loosen up. We are a long time dead.

[DGS1244]

No Mafia, now that is a joke. I was there a few weeks ago and the local beach masseurs where paying a third party on a daily basis and it was nothing to do with 'loans'.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Maybe it would be a good idea if these non-corrupt operators could get their stories straight....

 

Quote

 

An angry meeting of tourism operators on Koh Samet yesterday said there was no mafia in Rayong and none on the island.
........

They said the idea that mafia was in control was "rubbish" and even "funny".

 

 

Quote

 

They claimed the governor of the province Surasak Jaroensirichot agrees with them and said that he and other officials have been working hard over the last few years to rid the province of dark figures involved in corruption.

 

 

[MaxLee]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Koh Samet: No mafia here say operators as tourist arrivals tumble

[mcfish]

Suuuuck it boys. You feeling ripped off? Just ask how the tourists felt when you charged them 20k for that jet ski scratch.

Happy dayz!

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

[MikeTexas]

They are right about one thing. Name names and prosecute. 

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, impulse said:

On an aside, are the jet ski scams as prevalent on Samet as they are (were?) by Mike's in Pattaya?

Lovin' it that the scum jetski operators are complaining. Banning them from every tourist area in Thailand would be a good thing.

 

Also lovin' it that the atrocious resort owners that have ruined a once beautiful island are being hit where they care- in the pocket. No resort should be visible from the sea.

I have been saying on travel sites for years that the island is a disgrace.

 

Even more lovin' it that the corrupt park officials that did nothing to clean up the garbage everywhere are being given the boot.

 

[ramrod711]

Anyone operating a business without a permit in a National Park should be fined and expelled. Any building without a permit, lease from the government or a chanote should be torn down. National Parks should be preserved and revenue accrued from leases to private businesses should be used for the preservation. What the hell is the sense of having National Parks that resemble Patong Beach.

[thaibeachlovers]

10 minutes ago, sandgroper2 said:

I still enjoy Samet, why should i worry who owns the resort, and of course they are there to make money. To say otherwise rediculous. The land the resort it built on? Doesnt affect my stay there one bit. The bars, the beer is just as cold no matter if mafia owns the place , or not. Loosen up. We are a long time dead.

You would no doubt LOVE Penang beaches!

[thaibeachlovers]

Even if they can't get rid of the resorts, I hope the publicity makes enough tourists stay away as to bankrupt the owners.