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[geriatrickid]

Unfortunately, a great many victims of the jetski scam victims  deserve what they get. They know they shouldn't rent these things. They know the jetskis pollute both with petrol in the water, on the beach  and with noise. They don't care about the swimmers they terrify as the zip around. They are only thinking of what's good for them.   Look at the idiots that go up in those parasails. They'd be the first to sue an airline if there was a crash, but they'll gladly accept the risk of the parasails.  I have nearly been decapitated by some idiot falling out of the sky as the line whipped across the beach and I have been standing on the beach talking to someone when some imbecile comes tearing up out of the water on his jetski. No, sorry, I hope the people that get scammed really suffer. Maybe they'll think twice before doing it again and maybe they'll tell their friends, neighbours and work colleagues about it, and just maybe those people won't rent  a jetski next trip. Don't you think a tipoff on a no go  activity is if someone is renting a jetski smack dab in a place where there are people swimming?

Most western government travel websites warn about the jetskis. Every decent travel guidebook warns about jetskis. Every ethical travel writer warns about jetskis. And yet these idiot tourists  come and rent them. Sorry, no sympathy from me.

[HDRIDER]

Hi
Nobody gonna do anything about this, High season coming up, just wait and see (i hope i am so wrong)

[DLock]

Having walked Patong Beach every day for 7 years, I know JJ and his crew as well as all the others. I have heard and seen them do some truly brutal things to both tourists and other tribes along the beach. However, I also know how well connected they are and who really owns many of these jet skis.

I truly hope something happens, but I doubt it will. Too many people make too much money from jet skis and have too much invested. JJ is scapegoat, but he will be back on the beach tomorrow, and this will soon go away.

Great post LOS. I agree.

[caf]

geriatrickid, on 2009-09-13 08:13:02, said:

Unfortunately, a great many victims of the jetski scam victims  deserve what they get. They know they shouldn't rent these things. They know the jetskis pollute both with petrol in the water, on the beach  and with noise. They don't care about the swimmers they terrify as the zip around. They are only thinking of what's good for them.   Look at the idiots that go up in those parasails. They'd be the first to sue an airline if there was a crash, but they'll gladly accept the risk of the parasails.  I have nearly been decapitated by some idiot falling out of the sky as the line whipped across the beach and I have been standing on the beach talking to someone when some imbecile comes tearing up out of the water on his jetski. No, sorry, I hope the people that get scammed really suffer. Maybe they'll think twice before doing it again and maybe they'll tell their friends, neighbours and work colleagues about it, and just maybe those people won't rent  a jetski next trip. Don't you think a tipoff on a no go  activity is if someone is renting a jetski smack dab in a place where there are people swimming?

Most western government travel websites warn about the jetskis. Every decent travel guidebook warns about jetskis. Every ethical travel writer warns about jetskis. And yet these idiot tourists  come and rent them. Sorry, no sympathy from me.

Not a very caring soul are you?

Your venom would be better directed at trying to publicise and stop these scams.

Governments can't do too much as they have other briefs. The Uk advisory merely suggests renting from reputable operators with insurance!!  (No insurance company will cover jetski operations because of the scams)

Travel agents want to profit from sales.  No sale, no profit.  So they aren't going to discuss the ripoffs are they?

The Royal Marines are the ones putting the spotlight on this now. Or do you support guns being used to threaten  serving unarmed military personnel who are here at the behest of the Thai government.

The footage can not lie though JJ is saying, as he would of course, that he was set up to show the guns being used as a threat.  No-one wants to lose face - and the hi season is coming. I suppose the guys making the big money could always say JJ is half farang.  So yet again no blame atrributable to the Thais

[katabeachbum]

phuketrex, on 2009-09-09 12:26:57, said:

Wellington, on 2009-09-09 10:29:07, said:

I'm sure JJ will be talking to mr plod about threatening people with a rifle

You mean his father-in-law will be round to tell him that was a stupid thing to do.

JJ has been arrested, and released on 700.000 baht bail.

Using a registered legal gun in self defence within your property is legal.

Threatening unarmed people to get money is not.

[Chewbacka]

katabeachbum, on 2009-09-13 10:34:50, said:

JJ has been arrested, and released on 700.000 baht bail.

Using a registered legal gun in self defence within your property is legal.

Threatening unarmed people to get money is not.

The bail was 300,000.

[Wellington]

Chewbacka, on 2009-09-13 13:04:58, said:

katabeachbum, on 2009-09-13 10:34:50, said:

JJ has been arrested, and released on 700.000 baht bail.

Using a registered legal gun in self defence within your property is legal.

Threatening unarmed people to get money is not.

The bail was 300,000.

Maybe conflicting reports. I saw 700,000 in Phuket Wan and he put up title of land to cover it.
Probably a worthless piece of paper.

[DreamRider]

JJ or Jimmy is a psycopathic yob who particularly enjoys physically harming people.

If not in nick, let's hope his "respected" colleagues on the beach mete out some reflective punishment.

[geriatrickid]

caf, on 2009-09-13 11:03:00, said:

Not a very caring soul are you?

1. Your venom would be better directed at trying to publicise and stop these scams.

2. Governments can't do too much as they have other briefs. The Uk advisory merely suggests renting from reputable operators with insurance!! (No insurance company will cover jetski operations because of the scams)

3. Travel agents want to profit from sales. No sale, no profit. So they aren't going to discuss the ripoffs are they?

4. The Royal Marines are the ones putting the spotlight on this now. Or do you support guns being used to threaten serving unarmed military personnel who are here at the behest of the Thai government.
The footage can not lie though JJ is saying, as he would of course, that he was set up to show the guns being used as a threat. No-one wants to lose face - and the hi season is coming. I suppose the guys making the big money could always say JJ is half farang. So yet again no blame atrributable to the Thais

1. My comments do not mean I am uncaring. I care about the swimmers that have their lives put in dangers by the  idiots speeding about on the jetskis. I care about the noise that disturbs the beach goers and the marine life. I care about the pollution that arises due to the  presence of these machines that are  peddled every 100m along the beach. The way to stop the scams is if people don't rent the things. If people were caring and considerate of the evironment, especially those that swim, they wouldn't rent a jetski at a beach like Patong or Karon.

2. Yes you are correct, but the warnings are there. The  absence of insurance is posted by the jet ski operators. And yet people still go and rent them. They do it because they are only thinking of themselves. If people don't want to listen and think they are not subject to the warnings then, too bad. Here's an example;
From Australia
An increasing number of Australian travellers are reporting harassment and threats of violence by jet ski operators on tourist beaches, particularly in Phuket. Some travellers have reported that, after returning hired jet skis, they have been confronted by gangs claiming that the tourist damaged the jet ski. There have been reported instances of such gangs threatening violence, including at knifepoint, if a large sum of money in compensation for the alleged damage is not paid.

From Canada
Canadians should not leave their passport as collateral when renting motorcycles or jet skis. All rental contracts should be read thoroughly to ensure that the motorcycle or jet ski is correctly insured to cover damages and theft. Canadians should only rent from reputable companies, as, in the case of motorcycles, some companies have been known to "steal" the motorcycle and claim for loss.  It has also been reported that upon return of the rental, claims of damage allegedly caused by the renter have been made and some travellers have been harassed and threatened in an attempt to collect compensation for the damages.

3. Most reputable foreign travel agencies now include a sheet of do's and dont's. Although it's done more for their own liability than for benefit of the  client, the  document is included in the documentation and that's what counts.

4. I do not support the use of lethal weapons in extortion attempts. However, those Royal Marines were not in Thailand at the "behest" of Thailand. They were here as visitors and as such were subject to the same rules and regulations as Louie the busdriver from Luton and Marty the mechanic from Manchester. The fact that they are in service of the UK, has no relevance. They were not in the service of Thailand and even if they were, that doesn't excuse their stupidity and disregard of explicit warnings.  The personnel were specifically warned as are all visiting military personnel from the west. Usually the  officer in charge of the unit gives a talk. Then a representative of the embassy may show up to give a message about being ambassadors of the the UK and the need to behave, and then the NCO warns them again. The UK FO can protest all it wants, but that's for public consumption. Behind doors they are peeved because these stupid sailors didn't follow instructions. By now, I expect that the officer responsible for that unit  has been reamed by his superior officer and will probably be sent to a post in upper bungholia for this lack of discipline.

No I don't support the organized thievery, but in this case, there is an easy way to avoid it. Just say no.
Is it that hard?

[JimmyTheMook]

Shame the Brit's did not have the stones to smash these beach bums.

Edited by JimmyTheMook, 2009-09-13 23:55:43.

[phuketrex]

Here's another 10 minutes of uncut-unedited footage from the boatyard confrontation that wasn't shown in Epsiode 1>>>



...and one of JJ's coworkers taking 40000baht off some American Marines just a few days after the British Marines confrontation. JJ is at the start of this video>>>

[wolf5370]

JimmyTheMook, on 2009-09-13 23:52:49, said:

Shame the Brit's did not have the stones to smash these beach bums.

If they did they would be out of the service and there would be a diplomatic incident that could well have repurcussions, if not at least in respect to services on leave in the kingdom.

It would be 'interesting' if it was dealt with in the old marines way. An old friend of mine was in the RM. When he was in training a fellow trainee and his bunk mate went to a local club and got into an altercation with a bouncer. The guy was known to have an attitude issue with young marine's in training. Anyway, it turns out that this bouncer and a couple of the others at this club gives this 19 year old kid and his mate a good going over. For two weeks all was quite. Then one busy Saturday night a few of the instructors decided on an unscheduled training op. All exists were sealed off and the thugs identified and separated from the club revellers. They were 'removed' from the premises. When the police turned up, the marines were gone (uniformed, so to witnesses they were just very fit looking members of public) and so were a few of the bouncers. The turned up again a couple of days later, somewhat bruised, naked and a long way from, home. Protests were made to the training corp and I was told the response was - "Couldn't have been our guys, there was a training exercise that night and all men were accounted for"

Be a real shame if an accidental fire destroyed a wooden house, workshop and dozen jet skis or so, eh?

Edited by wolf5370, 2009-09-14 00:48:16.

[phuketrex]

Here is the final interview conducted by Bravo/Vera Productions with Phuket jet ski operator JJ reflecting on his dealings with British Royal Marines and American Marines who he accused of damaging his jet skis. Again hasn't been broadcast>>>

[JimmyTheMook]

This JJ is a low life who if given a proper beat down would not have continued blatantly ripping off tourists

[steelepulse]

Nice clips phuketrex. What a criminal/thug this JJ is.

[phuketrex]

More unedited footage of the US Marines incident>>>

[phuketrex]

Loads more unedited footage includes 6 more Marines arriving at the boatyard in a tuktuk>>>

[LivinLOS]

phuketrex, on 2009-09-14 00:35:02, said:

...and one of JJ's coworkers taking 40000baht off some American Marines just a few days after the British Marines confrontation. JJ is at the start of this video>>>

As I keep saying.. Its way beyond Jimmy.. Its All of them.. Its the entire attitude of the cliques and gangs that they can do what they want..

See the Thai police standing around (waiting for their cut ??)

JimmyTheMook, on 2009-09-14 01:11:32, said:

This JJ is a low life who if given a proper beat down would not have continued blatantly ripping off tourists

steelepulse, on 2009-09-14 08:39:11, said:

Nice clips phuketrex. What a criminal/thug this JJ is.

Again JJ is just an easy face everyone now can put to 'scammer' issues.. But what he does is what the entire beach rd does.. Its what the police make their money from.. Its the nature of the game where separating tourists from their money is the order of the day.

[harleyclarkey]

The sole and only reason this rat fodder has been "taken to task" (be good boy, wait TV camera gone, not do again for few weeks...OK JJ???) is because it has been brought onto the world stage. Up to then he was encouraged to rob, cheat and scam these unfortunate tourists by the local authorities. Does anyone believe for a nano second that they did not know about this??
It boggles the mind how much he has stolen if you reckon on ,say, an average of 50k per theft.
This dirt destroys tourism and hurts every single decent person in the business who doesn't resort to mugging tourists for a living.

Remember this has been aided, abetted and encouraged by the local thugs in brown. JJ has the confidence to even phone the thugs in brown himself...because he knows the outcome. Result for yet another mugging.

This is truly frightening and despicable behavior and anybody there with a peanut for a brain should have stopped this. I am delighted it has come onto the world stage and shows the world what the real Thailand is like. Cheat, scam and mug all under the watchful eye of the authorities. I have been banging on about this here on TV for a while now.

Maybe ...just a small maybe...this will change some attitudes and make some realise the value of an honest and truly caring tourist trade. But highly unlikely...it will be business as usual in a few weeks.

Edited by harleyclarkey, 2009-09-14 15:33:21.

[harleyclarkey]

geriatrickid, on 2009-09-14 00:41:36, said:

No I don't support the organized thievery, but in this case, there is an easy way to avoid it. Just say no.
Is it that hard?

Eh...do you mean say no to the jet ski??? I can just picture this gutter thug.  "Hey nice guys...want jet ski. Cheapest and best on beach....I'll give you good guys a really good deal. I take care you. Ski already waiting in water for you....no problem. Have good time" His pals are wetting themselves laughing and drooling at the prospect of another 1-200k per day (??).

All these unfortunates are doing is assuming they are in a half civilised country (big mistake) and are merely having fun on holiday and taking a jet ski for a spin. Why would they be able to see the future?
Do they say no to restaurants (charged for more than you ate), say no to a beer (maybe spiked/didn't pay again/demand for more beer than you drank/"damage" to bar), do they say no to car hire ("damaged" on return), say no to hotel rooms ( demands for room damage) etc, etc, etc.
No...you can't have this foresight.
Wish we had.

[Lancelot]

Lets not forget that most Marines, both UK and USA, are very professional, career minded and don't want to have disciplinary actions on their records, holding them back from future promotions. They had probably been warned/ordered not to rent jet skis, so they knew they were in trouble already. Brawling would have only added to their woes. In the past, a large number of soldiers were draftees who really didn't want to be in the service to begin with. Many would have loved to rumble with JJ type locals and would have laughed when their officers reprimanded them. Fear of being discharged? hel_l yes, bring it on Sir. The marines ripped of by JJ Inc. showed remarkable restraint.  

Had violence broken out, their training would have kicked in and JJ and lot would have had their (not) pretty faces rearanged.

For me the amazing part is that JJ types are operating with impunity. And why not? JJ earned a tidy sum in those two encounters and gained major face for humiliating military personel of two western powers. (Sickening, the photos of the US Marine wai-in JJ!) JJ is out on bail isn't he? Do you really think he will be punished or that the authorities will clean the criminal gangs up? The bail money was for PR purposes, consumption for the foreign press, nothing more. JJ does this because it pays-he explained in one video clip that jet skis are 500,000 and up. Well, just shake down 10 curtomers for 50,000 each and their is your meal ticket, free and clear.

I have to stop because I feel like throwing up. What a disgrace for decent Thais and decent "guests", like the marines.

[H2oDunc]

Having just watched the episode with the marines I had to laugh.   A biger bunch of *ankers you would be hard pressed to find. These are supposed to be one of the elite fighting forces in the UK. More like a buch of big girls blouses. I think a bunch of wrens would have put on a braver show than those fairies. I cannot imagine a bunch of Para's giving into these crooks.
You are never going to stop it as there is too much money to be had from the many suckers out there. There are some people who are just crying out to be had and always will be.

[JN45]

H2oDunc, on 2009-09-14 16:20:07, said:

Having just watched the episode with the marines I had to laugh. A biger bunch of *ankers you would be hard pressed to find. These are supposed to be one of the elite fighting forces in the UK. More like a buch of big girls blouses. I think a bunch of wrens would have put on a braver show than those fairies. I cannot imagine a bunch of Para's giving into these crooks.
You are never going to stop it as there is too much money to be had from the many suckers out there. There are some people who are just crying out to be had and always will be.

Silly post, these guys are strictly drilled to avoid trouble with the locals wherever they go.  The sergeant arrived, assessed the situation and realised that the most diplomatic, and sensible, option was to unfortunately stump up and put it down to experience.  

Don' t forget these guys are fighting, and dieing, in Afghanistan so don' t call them blouses.

[H2oDunc]

Excuse me ???? Strictly drilled to avoid trouble ???? What planet are you on my friend ? I have many friends in the services and did a bit myself years ago. Soldiers, sorry " real soldiers " kick off all over the world. It is what they are trained to do, fight!I have lots of friends in the Para's and they have all said they would not have parted with a satang! I stand by my opinion they were a bunch of sissies. What chance do they stand in Afghanistan if they can't deal with a two bit Thai thug. ? Even 2 ex marine friends here in Samui said they were ashamed. These are supposed to be highly trained fighting machines and you say they did the right thing and settled for the diplomatic solution. No wonder the Uk is finished as a fighting force.
We even have SAS soldiers crying about being called names now in the UK and wanting compensation for hurt feelings! This is what the Politically Correct liberals have brought us to!

[762]

pagallim, on 2009-09-08 23:05:57, said:

To be frank, these guys have already been warned about the various scams, and perhaps they  haven't fully understood the consequences.   However, the main point is that they've stood the local mafia down, and there's no way that they are going to 'go for it' against these farang.  Lesson learned folks, an element of strength in numbers.

Per mare, per terram.

Anyone who knows this JJ will tell you he bleats about everything, everynight. When they won't pick him to play pool, jetski damage, price of spares yaada yaada
I just love to see his mom come into the bar and chastise him, with a few well aimed shots, when he has been hauled up to the Police AGAIN. You can hear his puppy like wingeing and fake crying all the way from Nanai until he gets home.
Enrol his mom in the Police I say, he's half dutch so send him over there for a while, they wont take it.