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[Jingthing]

Maybe the one bust was a token "show" for the media.

[saintofsilence]

Scams also going on at soi 12 they won't stop because if the don't scam no money there are to many jet skis and few customers .

[malct]

You have to see it to believe it , the scammers don't give a dam, i watched from the prom has a group of middle eastern people were sitting on the deck chairs and they were asked if they would like to take a Jet ski out, The operators were laughing and joking with the tourist.
The operators had a camera and took some footage with a tourist on the jet Ski.
On his return with the Jet Ski, one of the young lads pulled down on some rubber from the front of the jet ski and then shouted to the boss telling him that the jet ski was damaged. The Boss who was a Big Thai guy with beard started to look at the jet Ski and also showing footage on his camera prior to going out on the jet Ski.

the Boss then got his note pad out and i can only guess that he was making out a bill for the Damage. I hung around for 30 Minutes and no money had changed hands, But you could tell that the tourist had been stitched up.

What i find hard to believe was the fact that other tourists was taking jet skis out at the same time that the other tourist was been ripped Off and only standing feet away from each other.

I did noticed that the Blokes working for the Boss were all wearing Football shirts, I wonder if the Number 10's are the scorers

[kevkev1888]

Soi 10 to the right of the Scamer steps around 4.30pm.

One of the tourists being scamed waived down a couple of cops who were riding down the footpath.

Looked like he was pleading with them to help.

Don't know what was said but the 2 cops rode off and the guy walked back to the beach.

Edited by kevkev1888, 2011-09-27 18:06:35.

[saintofsilence]

On soi 12 there were about 5 jet skis and a group of thugs plus a big foreigner helping the scammers

Edited by saintofsilence, 2011-09-27 19:19:02.

[saintofsilence]

Local Tourist Police officers will start handing out pamphlets to tourists to warn them about scams and will step up monitoring tourist-centric businesses.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, also speaking at the meeting, urged business owners to be honest.


http://www.pattayama...s-6571?ref=pmci

[gk10002000]

I have hated reading about all the incidents.  Just too negative all the way around and I don't like the people that have been doing it.  However, since Pattaya's waters are so dirty and in general unhealthy, I just can't fathom why somebody would even go in the water.  It is terrible that Pattaya beach is basically un swimmable. I hate that, but that is a fairly well known fact, or at least a strong matter of opinion.  I feel sorry for the tourists that don't seem to access to that information or are unwilling to listen to that information.  But I know many people don't internet browse as much as others and often book junkets and planned holiday tours and just go with the flow.  

I rented Jet skis once out on Koh Larn a few years ago.  I did not have any trouble.  But I did have my Thai girlfriend with me.  I wonder if any foreigner that has alleged a Jet Ski Scam had a Thai with them at the time?  I don't think any of the incidents that made it to print had a Thai on the jet ski.  Funny coincidence I guess.

[Awohalitsiktoli]

gk10002000, on 2011-10-03 08:00:50, said:

I have hated reading about all the incidents.  Just too negative all the way around and I don't like the people that have been doing it.  However, since Pattaya's waters are so dirty and in general unhealthy, I just can't fathom why somebody would even go in the water.  It is terrible that Pattaya beach is basically un swimmable. I hate that, but that is a fairly well known fact, or at least a strong matter of opinion.  I feel sorry for the tourists that don't seem to access to that information or are unwilling to listen to that information.  But I know many people don't internet browse as much as others and often book junkets and planned holiday tours and just go with the flow.  

I rented Jet skis once out on Koh Larn a few years ago.  I did not have any trouble.  But I did have my Thai girlfriend with me.  I wonder if any foreigner that has alleged a Jet Ski Scam had a Thai with them at the time?  I don't think any of the incidents that made it to print had a Thai on the jet ski.  Funny coincidence I guess.

This is really pissing me off!  I do not think we should blame foreign tourists.  It is not their fault.  They are on a "ride" in a "fantasy city" and do not know up from down.  At this point, the scum-bag-asshol_e scamers need to be exposed worldwide by a serious player who can give that type of exposure.  I will not say who that player is, but will ask a question:  How many minutes in one hour?  One solution would be to ban all jet skis in Pattaya and Jomtien.  City Hall wants to create Green Pattaya, well there is nothing green about jet skis.  A floor of letters to the new PM might also help.  I have one other solution but can't suggest it here.  It involves bats and martial arts experts and    Back in my country these people would either be in jail or worse, unless of course they have the police in their pocket.  But even when some police are in the pocket, others higher up are not.  That happened in my country during Prohibition.  Local cops were being paid by the Mobsters to look the other way.  But the Federal Govt. forces stepped in and did something about the mess.  If every person in authority is being paid, there is nothing much that can be done except ask yourself:  How many minutes in one hour    One day they will screw with the wrong person and end up in trouble; a person with power to make their day a very bad one.

[saintofsilence]

PLenty of scams again this weekend   the scammers were going at it big time yesterday a large group of indians were stung opposite mikes shopping mall it went on for long time while the marine police sat under a tent reading newspapers further up.

The scammers are using another indian man and also big russian man who produces a card to the victims telling some bs .

The beach is out of control and getting back to how it was 12 months ago.

Very much looks like The scammers and corrupt authorities are in full control.

[gk10002000]

Yep.  Sounds like a mess still going on.  As I said many months ago, at some point with enough publicity some Thai official may step in.  Or they may not.  The problem is I doubt any of the Thais are being prosecuted or discouraged in any meaningful way.  That would require a lot of journalistic follow up, and the Thai mentality and culture in general does  not dwell on such things.

[saintofsilence]

Some reports from yesterday in the comments pattaya one

Just been to Beach Road again, and right at this minute (6:30pm, 2nd Oct 2011), a young Japanese family are being extorted. This is opposite Soi 13/3, close to the entrance to Walking Street. I won’t post any more of these updates, it happens every day, but this really got to me.
There’s nothing I could do, there were the same thugs standing on the side of the beach carefully watching for anybody who shows too much interest in the Jet Ski scam. The boss guy looks like a fat Mr. Miyagi complete with whispy beard (from the original Karate Kid movie!).
What was so mean about this scam is that they targeted a young Japanese family today. The kid who rode the Jet Ski couldn’t have been more than 17yrs old, and he was with what seem to be his sister and mother. All three of them were told to sit down on the beach chairs and told they must pay for the damage. Yes, the same ‘damaged’ Jet Ski there every day.
The two kids looked really shook up, and the mum was showing a lot of stress as the thugs kept pointing at the Jet Ski and intimidating her.
Thing is, you can’t call the police. They are not interested, and this has been documented in dozens of web blogs and website reports. The Marine Tourist Police, who were supposed to deal with disputes such as the Jet Ski damage (yes, everybody knows its a scam, apart from the unaware tourist), their police checkpoint opposite Central Festival Beach Road, close to the Police Station, was closed as I walked past there at 5pm.
If you are in any position to talk to authorities, embassy, Press, reporters, anything at all, tell them this criminal extortion is continuing every day on Beach Road Pattaya.
There’s nothing else I can say, but I feel terrible for the you Japanese family that are on the beach right now being extorted by criminals that no Thai authority has managed to stop.


And another

Today, 30th Sept 2011, at 5pm witnessed the same Jet Ski scam taking place on Pattaya Beach. This was near Mike Shopping Mall, opposite Beach Road soi 12.
A group of Indian tourists were targeted this evening. One Jet Ski was accused of being damaged. Of course it was there before, this scam occurs every single day with the same gang of Jet Ski operators. Any intervention by passers by would be met with threats, and then violence. There is nothing you can do to help these guys. The four Indian tourists were literally begging, pleading, and were in a pretty bad state. The gang of Thai’s nearby that were part of the scam were laughing, drinking beer, playing with their kids (who were also asking passers by if they wanted to rent a Jet Ski) and pointing at their marks mocking them.
I see that last week (reported 24th Sept on PattayaOne website, and other online Pattaya news sites) that five Jet Ski scammers were arrested for attempting to extort a couple of Saudi Arabia tourists, and followed the tourists to the Marriott Resort & Spa in Pattaya. The police were called, arrests were made.
So, literally a few days later, the scams are continuing on Beach Road. Nothing has changed! NOTHING! The same scammers I’ve seen for months and months are exorting sums of money any between 40,000 to 80,000 baht.
Also closer to Walking Street entrance on Beach Road, opposite soi 13/4 and near there, the same gang of Thai scammers are there every day. They’re also continuing to extort tourists.
They often target the marks around 5pm-5:30pm, as it’s getting dark. There are more of the gangs keeping an eye on people taking photos than I’ve seen before. These gangs are well organised, in that they have around 10 Thai’s ready waiting to add to the threats if there extortion demands are not met.
So, arrests of Thai Jet Ski scammers has had absolutely no impact whatsoever on them continuing ‘business as usual’. It’s disgraceful. Same thugs operating for months and months, and none of them locked up and told not to return. Welcome to Pattaya tourists, play safe.

More in the comments on Pattaya One

http://www.pattayaon...t-ski-scammers/

Edited by saintofsilence, 2011-10-03 10:28:06.

[londoedan]

gk10002000, on 2011-10-03 08:00:50, said:

I have hated reading about all the incidents.  Just too negative all the way around and I don't like the people that have been doing it.  However, since Pattaya's waters are so dirty and in general unhealthy, I just can't fathom why somebody would even go in the water.  It is terrible that Pattaya beach is basically un swimmable. I hate that, but that is a fairly well known fact, or at least a strong matter of opinion.  I feel sorry for the tourists that don't seem to access to that information or are unwilling to listen to that information.  But I know many people don't internet browse as much as others and often book junkets and planned holiday tours and just go with the flow.  

I rented Jet skis once out on Koh Larn a few years ago.  I did not have any trouble.  But I did have my Thai girlfriend with me.  I wonder if any foreigner that has alleged a Jet Ski Scam had a Thai with them at the time?  I don't think any of the incidents that made it to print had a Thai on the jet ski.  Funny coincidence I guess.

I also hate the fact that these incidents are still on-going; as one previous poster put it: it really is sad and pathetic .

A couple of points though: as somone who spends maybe 4 or 5 days of every week on the beach, I doubt that there is a deck-chair mafia out there. Plus I also don't believe the Pattaya waters are un-swimmable. I tend to swim out quite a distance 3 or 4 times a day and in many visits over the last few years and a full year and a half living here, I have yet to experience a problem e.g. ear / eye / skin / stomach infections. The water might not be as pristine as some areas in SE Asia (the sea around Bali for example is a lot cleaner) but, IMHO, swimming in the sea is fine, good exercise and a nice way to cool off during the summer months.

Simon

[kevkev1888]

I have been down the beach 4 times this last week.

Around 2 -3pm NOT peak time for scams but even so have seen at least 2 or 3 scams in progress every day.

I have only spent about a hour on the beach each time and only between Central Festival and Walking street.

They must be pulling this at least 30 times a day down there.

I would estimate they are taking up to HALF A MILLION BAHT A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited by Rimmer, 2011-10-03 13:50:40.
Advocating violence

[marinediscoking]

I did have some hope after seeing the arrests by the tourist police last week, so when I saw a scam happening last Saturday opposite soi12 this is what i did:

• Called 1155 (tourist police) no answer, called several times.
• Called 1337 pattaya city help number, they told me to call 038410044
• Called that number, I had to ask if this was the tourist police, she said yes and asked her to send a tourist police to help. She said I need to call Mr. ____(his name i cannot remember) on his mobile number.
• Called his number, who I guess was a tourist police (all people were thai that i have spoken too so far) he said he was in bangkok and could not help. I asked if there was "someone else he could send", he said go to the police station on soi 9.

On Sunday seeing another scam across for Mike's I called 038410044 to come help, and I was told he was the only tourist police working, and he could not leave the phone unattended.

[Rimmer]

One post suggesting a meet up has been removed, if you remember this very same suggestion got the last jet ski thread closed, so be warned Do not Lobby members for any reason whatsover.

[lovetotravel]

marinediscoking, on 2011-10-03 13:31:35, said:

I did have some hope after seeing the arrests by the tourist police last week, so when I saw a scam happening last Saturday opposite soi12 this is what i did:

• Called 1155 (tourist police) no answer, called several times.
• Called 1337 pattaya city help number, they told me to call 038410044
• Called that number, I had to ask if this was the tourist police, she said yes and asked her to send a tourist police to help. She said I need to call Mr. ____(his name i cannot remember) on his mobile number.
• Called his number, who I guess was a tourist police (all people were thai that i have spoken too so far) he said he was in bangkok and could not help. I asked if there was "someone else he could send", he said go to the police station on soi 9.

On Sunday seeing another scam across for Mike's I called 038410044 to come help, and I was told he was the only tourist police working, and he could not leave the phone unattended.

Congrats for trying!!!  Great stuff.  Even though it's like beating your head against a brick wall!!!!

[Chivas]

alstaxi, on 2011-09-24 17:48:17, said:

Semper, on 2011-09-23 21:30:12, said:

Quote

Jet Ski Scam Pattaya When Will It Stop

Maybe when people stop renting them.        

best post on this thread.

Dear God please dont encourage him any further..

Lets hope this scam is removed asap-got to say that in all the times Ive rented have never ever had a problem.
Am sure the operators target easy looking people.

[Awohalitsiktoli]

Chivas, on 2011-10-03 18:24:06, said:

Dear God please dont encourage him any further..

Lets hope this scam is removed asap-got to say that in all the times Ive rented have never ever had a problem.
Am sure the operators target easy looking people.

No doubt they do target "suckers" but they also targeted members of the British Marine forces (think that happened in Phuket).  They truly believe they are "above the law."  What irritates me the most is that smirk on their faces.  One day, I am sure, it will be removed.  When?  Your guess is as good as mine.  The scam problem is a reflection of what has happened in this country:  corruption, corruption, corruption...............

Edited by Awohalitsiktoli, 2011-10-03 18:42:20.

[saintofsilence]

marinediscoking, on 2011-10-03 13:31:35, said:

I did have some hope after seeing the arrests by the tourist police last week, so when I saw a scam happening last Saturday opposite soi12 this is what i did:

• Called 1155 (tourist police) no answer, called several times.
• Called 1337 pattaya city help number, they told me to call 038410044
• Called that number, I had to ask if this was the tourist police, she said yes and asked her to send a tourist police to help. She said I need to call Mr. ____(his name i cannot remember) on his mobile number.
• Called his number, who I guess was a tourist police (all people were thai that i have spoken too so far) he said he was in bangkok and could not help. I asked if there was "someone else he could send", he said go to the police station on soi 9.

On Sunday seeing another scam across for Mike's I called 038410044 to come help, and I was told he was the only tourist police working, and he could not leave the phone unattended.

There are comments about this on the Pattaya Future facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/PattayaFuture

Edited by saintofsilence, 2011-10-03 20:48:45.

[wans]

saw them doing it at soi 12 today, seemed to have a demented looking shaved headed farang helping them, they ended up at the police station, as mentioned in a previous post  it was the damage at the front. these are just low life yabad out bullying thieves who will steal from their thai neighbors as much as from a tourist, anyone can see that and its sad that certain police and higher up people are supporting them and the thais are too polite to stop them. anyway, thats another 4 tourists and their friends who wont be returning to pattaya again

[marinediscoking]

wans, on 2011-10-03 21:41:11, said:

saw them doing it at soi 12 today, seemed to have a demented looking shaved headed farang helping them, they ended up at the police station, as mentioned in a previous post  it was the damage at the front. these are just low life yabad out bullying thieves who will steal from their thai neighbors as much as from a tourist, anyone can see that and its sad that certain police and higher up people are supporting them and the thais are too polite to stop them. anyway, thats another 4 tourists and their friends who wont be returning to pattaya again

The person who you are talking about is half thai looking from his appearance. He has been helping the jet ski operators opposite mike's and speaks thai like a thai. He is very aggressive and does a lot of screeming at the tourist. On sunday while he was handling two scams at the same time, he was forcefully keepping the lone indian from speaking to the other group being scammed at the same place.

Today he was once again the lead extorter while trying to convince the renters to give in before they went to the police station.

From what I can tell he shows up on his motorbike only after false damage is caused. Seems the jetski operators want someone who is not involved in the renting to handle the intimidation and extortion.
I called one of the local papers to inform them that  today's group had just entered the police station after the heated exchange on the beach, just in-case they wanted to send a reporter.

[striderman]

marinediscoking, on 2011-10-04 01:51:28, said:

The person who you are talking about is half thai looking from his appearance. He has been helping the jet ski operators opposite mike's and speaks thai like a thai. He is very aggressive and does a lot of screeming at the tourist. On sunday while he was handling two scams at the same time, he was forcefully keepping the lone indian from speaking to the other group being scammed at the same place.

Today he was once again the lead extorter while trying to convince the renters to give in before they went to the police station.

From what I can tell he shows up on his motorbike only after false damage is caused. Seems the jetski operators want someone who is not involved in the renting to handle the intimidation and extortion.
I called one of the local papers to inform them that  today's group had just entered the police station after the heated exchange on the beach, just in-case they wanted to send a reporter.

I had to leave the mob near Mikes alone after being scoped taking pics back in january, as a safety measure.
There was a big Russian or at least Eastern european helping out the scammers by the royal garden then.
tended to wear black trousers and shirt so he looked official even claimed to the 2 uk guys i spoke to who got done for 20,000 bht to be a "UN police official in Thailand to clamp down on scams and corruption"
nice touch!!
I have clocked him a few times earlier in the year waving his hands and shouting right in their faces at the Thai ski renters...............not possible to do without being on the receiving end of a bottle from behind. Just part of the panto where paying 20,000 bht for doing nothing is better than 50,000 bht. Its just a game to them and the arm waving is part of the show

[wans]

marinediscoking, on 2011-10-04 01:51:28, said:

The person who you are talking about is half thai looking from his appearance. He has been helping the jet ski operators opposite mike's and speaks thai like a thai. He is very aggressive and does a lot of screeming at the tourist. On sunday while he was handling two scams at the same time, he was forcefully keepping the lone indian from speaking to the other group being scammed at the same place.

Today he was once again the lead extorter while trying to convince the renters to give in before they went to the police station.

From what I can tell he shows up on his motorbike only after false damage is caused. Seems the jetski operators want someone who is not involved in the renting to handle the intimidation and extortion.
I called one of the local papers to inform them that  today's group had just entered the police station after the heated exchange on the beach, just in-case they wanted to send a reporter.

yes thats him, a schoolyard bully

Edited by wans, 2011-10-04 03:04:27.

[saintofsilence]

wans, on 2011-10-04 03:03:32, said:

marinediscoking, on 2011-10-04 01:51:28, said:

The person who you are talking about is half thai looking from his appearance. He has been helping the jet ski operators opposite mike's and speaks thai like a thai. He is very aggressive and does a lot of screeming at the tourist. On sunday while he was handling two scams at the same time, he was forcefully keepping the lone indian from speaking to the other group being scammed at the same place.

Today he was once again the lead extorter while trying to convince the renters to give in before they went to the police station.

From what I can tell he shows up on his motorbike only after false damage is caused. Seems the jetski operators want someone who is not involved in the renting to handle the intimidation and extortion.
I called one of the local papers to inform them that  today's group had just entered the police station after the heated exchange on the beach, just in-case they wanted to send a reporter.

yes thats him, a schoolyard bully

There are three that I have seen a big man looks russian , the sikh guy and the half thai that you mention but I think he may be full indian very thin saw him riding an orange motor bike he shows some type of id card and has walkie talkie he goes to the soi 11 area often.

They use foreigners to befriend the victims and try and convince them to pay up straight away.

Edited by saintofsilence, 2011-10-04 07:15:56.

[Lovedog100]

saintofsilence, on 2011-10-03 20:37:50, said:

marinediscoking, on 2011-10-03 13:31:35, said:

I did have some hope after seeing the arrests by the tourist police last week, so when I saw a scam happening last Saturday opposite soi12 this is what i did:

• Called 1155 (tourist police) no answer, called several times.
• Called 1337 pattaya city help number, they told me to call 038410044
• Called that number, I had to ask if this was the tourist police, she said yes and asked her to send a tourist police to help. She said I need to call Mr. ____(his name i cannot remember) on his mobile number.
• Called his number, who I guess was a tourist police (all people were thai that i have spoken too so far) he said he was in bangkok and could not help. I asked if there was "someone else he could send", he said go to the police station on soi 9.

On Sunday seeing another scam across for Mike's I called 038410044 to come help, and I was told he was the only tourist police working, and he could not leave the phone unattended.

There are comments about this on the Pattaya Future facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/PattayaFuture

If you go there, you can see that it's the Mayors facebook page.  There is one person (Mac Oxley) trying to keep the jet ski scam in the Mayors attention.  There is another (J-city Pattaya) posting one picture at a time, trying to run the jet ski post off the page, by posting so many pictures that any reference to Jetski's are not shown on the page.  If you were to add a comment, or click like, it will keep the jet ski problem in the forefront.