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Australian travellers have reported 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.
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Jet Ski Scam
Started by alfbondi, 2010-11-22 07:25
#27
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-11-23 22:19:49
http://www.smartrave...Advice/thailand
If you intend to hire cars, motorcycles, jet skis or any other motorised water sport equipment, talk to your travel insurer to check if it is covered by your insurance policy. In addition to the jet ski incidents noted above, there have been a number of serious accidents involving jet skis and motorcycles in Thailand. Foreigners are regularly detained and arrested by police following jet ski and motorcycle accidents until compensation can be negotiated between parties. Many vehicle hire companies do not have insurance and any damage or loss will be your responsibility to negotiate or pay. #28
parallaxtech
Senior Member Posted 2010-11-23 22:42:23
If you are in Thailand and rent a jetski there is a better than fifty percent chance that you will be scammed. I have lived on Koh Samui for five years and can't count all the jetski scams I have seen. I worked for the Tourist Police several years ago and we helped many tourists until we started getting death threats. Working for free is one thing, but dying for it? The only solution is to not rent jetskis. Take the banana boat, or waterski, or scuba, etc.
Edited by parallaxtech, 2010-11-23 22:43:16. #29
pipo1000
Senior Member Posted 2010-11-23 22:52:45
If you are in Thailand and rent a jetski there is a better than fifty percent chance that you will be scammed. I have lived on Koh Samui for five years and can't count all the jetski scams I have seen. I worked for the Tourist Police several years ago and we helped many tourists until we started getting death threats. Working for free is one thing, but dying for it? The only solution is to not rent jetskis. Take the banana boat, or waterski, or scuba, etc. So what you're actually saying is that the police force in Thailand is scared from a bunch of jetski scum? #30
surangw
Senior Member Posted 2010-11-24 00:06:41
So what you're actually saying is that the police force in Thailand is scared from a bunch of jetski scum?
[/quote] not scared, bought off. #31
supaprik
Senior Member Posted 2010-11-24 09:55:58
Perhaps read YOUR governments travel advices?
http://www.smartrave...Advice/Thailand Clearly advises NOT to hire jet skis in Thailand and has been like this for YEARS...I wonder how many Aussies get scammed? hmmm #32
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-11-24 10:49:16
If you are in Thailand and rent a jetski there is a better than fifty percent chance that you will be scammed. I have lived on Koh Samui for five years and can't count all the jetski scams I have seen. I worked for the Tourist Police several years ago and we helped many tourists until we started getting death threats. Working for free is one thing, but dying for it? The only solution is to not rent jetskis. Take the banana boat, or waterski, or scuba, etc. I believe that is what happened in Phuket also the foreign tourist police volunteers would not get involved because of safety issues to their lives . #33
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-11-24 11:40:25 Edited by saintofsilence, 2010-11-24 11:46:35. #34
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-11-24 22:02:14
I don't think the you tube movie stars know about their stardom yet , half pint is still ripping his shirt off and getting aggressive.
#36
craigt3365
Modified Member Posted 2010-11-26 07:39:22
There is an article in one of the local rags about this. They mention this scam...but still, nothing is being done about it!
http://pattayatoday....ts-on-jet-skis/ #37
kevkev1888
Senior Member Posted 2010-11-27 10:22:59
There is an article in one of the local rags about this. They mention this scam...but still, nothing is being done about it! http://pattayatoday....ts-on-jet-skis/ This was published on 9th November. Edited by kevkev1888, 2010-11-27 10:32:56. #38
geriatrickid
The consensus is that I am most excellent. Posted 2010-11-27 11:50:32
So if I underatand this right, the person or persons shooting this video, stood there, watched the scam taking place, filmed the fact there was no damage to the jet skis during the use, then stood by and watched the scam reach its conclusion ???? that in itself if it is correct is as bad as the people doing the scam !!! , why the hel_l didnt they warn those Indian guys, show the Policeman the footage or even show the scam artists that they were caught red handed ??? noooooo that wouldnt make good video, just stand there and let innocent people be subjected to it........disgusting ! Charlie before you get stuck into people for not helping do some reading. I think the guys that filmed should be respected for putting themselves in what could have easily have turned into a dangerous situation. And people standing by only perpetuate it !! You are out of touch with reality. One intervenes at one's own peril. These touts and thieves will attack anyone that intervenes. . Sorry, but that's how it works. I'm one of those people that hates jetskis and hates the tourists that rent them. However, extortion is extortion and I have tried to help in the past and its a recipe for a beating.. Others have tried as well. Unfortunately, when the police force is rotten to the core, when the local government is rotten to the core and the powerful local hiso families that ultimately control these businesses is rotten to the core, what can one do? Do you think the Thais care about a foreign intervention? The only thing that can stop these thieves is to not rent the jetskis. Sadly, there will always be stupid or naive tourists that will not pay attention to the warnings and that will not listen. The problem could easily be stopped if the local authorities wanted to stop it. However, they make money off of these ripoffs and it will not happen. Accept the fact that this is the way Thailand operates and that one has to deal with Thais with that understanding. #39
doggie888888
In Pattaya Posted 2010-11-27 12:38:05
The back exit from the Marriot, the one that leads to the beach, has a sign that says beware when renting jet skis (or words to that effect)...hopefully all hotels have similar signs soon.
#40
craigt3365
Modified Member Posted 2010-11-27 14:04:12
You are out of touch with reality. One intervenes at one's own peril. These touts and thieves will attack anyone that intervenes. . Sorry, but that's how it works. I'm one of those people that hates jetskis and hates the tourists that rent them. However, extortion is extortion and I have tried to help in the past and its a recipe for a beating.. Others have tried as well. Unfortunately, when the police force is rotten to the core, when the local government is rotten to the core and the powerful local hiso families that ultimately control these businesses is rotten to the core, what can one do? Do you think the Thais care about a foreign intervention? The only thing that can stop these thieves is to not rent the jetskis. Sadly, there will always be stupid or naive tourists that will not pay attention to the warnings and that will not listen. The problem could easily be stopped if the local authorities wanted to stop it. However, they make money off of these ripoffs and it will not happen. Accept the fact that this is the way Thailand operates and that one has to deal with Thais with that understanding. Police, government and hiso families rotten? Guess that's why the owner of a local bar was executed this past week as he was unlocking the gate to his house?  For sure, nothing can be done about this until someone very high up decides the game is over.... #41
pipo1000
Senior Member Posted 2010-11-28 21:52:42
Any news regarding new victims?
#42
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-11-29 11:42:54
This scam is rabid on Pattaya beach i have now noticed it is the length of the whole beach , it looks like the indians are targeted the most but I think that is because they are renting more jet skis than others. The Scammers have an indian man in a Turban helping them he is going the whole length on his motorbike when problems occur. I think the indian people are under the impression he is helping them.
There is also another guy doing the same for Russians. Last week some Iranians were scammed and one was put in a head lock and his head pushed into the jet ski. No one is getting let off from this scam the other day I noticed about 15 people in several groups being scammed in the last hour people were still arguing well into the night. this goes on every night some where along the beach , hot spots are in front of Mikes ,Royal Garden and the last rental spot close to walking st. There are at least 60 to 100 people being scammed weekly along Pattaya beach and losing thousands. I witnessed one young Indian guy who was so upset and kept saying I have no money I have no money , don't know what happened in the end/ I also saw a young european couple get scammed looked like they were on a honeymoon. The scammers will sweet talk people and drop the price just to get them on the jest ski's to be scammed. They love renting to groups because they will get more scams in one hit . They do not care how big and strong you are or how many. Every night some where a long the beach there are arguments going on , No one is safe to rent Jet skis on pattaya beach. #43
Siam Simon
Super Member Posted 2010-11-30 06:29:22
This scam is rabid on Pattaya beach i have now noticed it is the length of the whole beach , it looks like the indians are targeted the most but I think that is because they are renting more jet skis than others. The Scammers have an indian man in a Turban helping them he is going the whole length on his motorbike when problems occur. I think the indian people are under the impression he is helping them. There is also another guy doing the same for Russians. Last week some Iranians were scammed and one was put in a head lock and his head pushed into the jet ski. No one is getting let off from this scam the other day I noticed about 15 people in several groups being scammed in the last hour people were still arguing well into the night. this goes on every night some where along the beach , hot spots are in front of Mikes ,Royal Garden and the last rental spot close to walking st. There are at least 60 to 100 people being scammed weekly along Pattaya beach and losing thousands. I witnessed one young Indian guy who was so upset and kept saying I have no money I have no money , don't know what happened in the end/ I also saw a young european couple get scammed looked like they were on a honeymoon. The scammers will sweet talk people and drop the price just to get them on the jest ski's to be scammed. They love renting to groups because they will get more scams in one hit . They do not care how big and strong you are or how many. Every night some where a long the beach there are arguments going on , No one is safe to rent Jet skis on pattaya beach. #44
Spee
Geezer Squad Posted 2010-11-30 07:29:25
Accept the fact that this is the way Thailand operates and that one has to deal with Thais with that understanding. There are two ways to make change anywhere in the world, evolution or revolution. We've seen that those who revolt are only going to find themselves on the receiving end of a tin of Thai-style whup-ass. So that leaves evolution, and in the hotel and liesure biz, like so many others, the way people make change evolve is to vote with their feet and wallets. So if one likes Pattaya the way it is and the direction in which it's headed, then by all means have at it. If you don't, then take your money and your business elsewhere. Personally, I've been to Pattaya once and while we had a pleasant incident-free holiday, it's now at the bottom of a very long list of future desired stops. #45
steelepulse
Beach Club Posted 2010-11-30 09:18:53
Do the Pattaya jet skis not have insurance as the Patong jet skis have. Not to say that the scam still doesn't go on in Patong as it does, it just appears to not be as prevalent now that there is "insurance".
#46
craigt3365
Modified Member Posted 2010-11-30 10:17:48
Do the Pattaya jet skis not have insurance as the Patong jet skis have. Not to say that the scam still doesn't go on in Patong as it does, it just appears to not be as prevalent now that there is "insurance". I read in an article recently that they are trying to get this insurance...but nothing has been done yet. I would for sure reduce the scams dramatically...at least I would hope so! #47
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-12-01 00:05:59
Knife used in Pattaya Jetski Scam - Irish Tourist’s Life Threatened
PATTAYA: An Irish tourist, on his first visit to Pattaya with two friends, was threatened with a long-bladed knife by one of a group of Thai men who hire out jet skis opposite Mike Shopping Mall. In what is becoming an increasingly common occurrence in Pattaya, certain jet ski operators have taken a leaf out of the scam book made infamous by their Phuket cousins, and are almost daily extorting money for alleged damage to their property from tourists who hire out the vessels. A local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, witnessed a violent confrontation recently between the scammers and tourists, where a large knife was pulled. continued here : http://www.thaivisa...._1#entry4057974 Edited by saintofsilence, 2010-12-01 00:07:04. #48
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-12-08 23:23:53
from 2009
http://www.thaivisa....-jet-ski-owner/ post 119 Tourist Police chief Adis Ngamjitsuksri has conceded the extortion of tourists was a problem which the police alone could not stamp out. He said the extortion gangs, including those in tourist provinces, worked under highly influential people. #49
saintofsilence
Platinum Member #50
saintofsilence
Platinum Member Posted 2010-12-29 00:26:27
From Trip Advisor
12 December 2010, 16:45 This also happen to me and my friends. They asked us 55,000 baht, Lot of people(even people of my nationality) came to help us but we figured out that they all want commission in the money, even the police supports them. We tried everything but after 6-7 hours of incident we settled at 33000 Baht. In between they hurt us to the core of our heart, they even threat to kill us . http://www.tripadvis...ya-Pattaya.html Re: Warning!!!!Jet Ski Pattaya 16 November 2010, 19:02 I live in Pattaya. I see this scam all the time. The police, and the tourist police are in on it. They get a cut, for talking you into paying. There are many people that rent and do not get scammed, however, the scam rate is very high. Close to the end of the day when there is no one waiting to take out a jet ski is the worst time. Someone advised bring friends, the Thai's know that you can get 20,000 baht out of the ATM at a time, three friends means they can ask 80,000 baht. Please read this closely, DO NOT RENT A JET SKI IN THAILAND!!!! This happens all over th |
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