I'M THE Producer/Director of 'Big Trouble In Thailand' or 'Thai Cops' as it was known during production. I came up with the idea and shot it mostly myself, with the help of a Thai cameraman.
And with the full co-operation of the authorities concerned in Thailand whom I cannot thank enough for their kind co-operation and trust.
Thanks for the write-up, by the way - a solid summary.
The sequence with JJ was NOT staged and I hope he is not in jail based solely on his contribution to the series. JJ was a willing participant and at the very least I am grateful for his contribution to the program. JJ was not paid to take part in the filming.
In fact. he invited us along. Nor were the Royal Marines paid as I'm sure they would be happy to confirm. Nobody was paid.
These days I'M lucky to be paid in TV - as the self-shooting P/D.
You want to see an email from my boss complaining how much the shoot was costing. That would shatter some illusions, believe you me.
I am grateful for the comments about the camerawork - someone on a forum somewhere called it "too good". Please pass that onto Vera Productions and Bravo, my employers.
I have had very little involvement and influence in the editing of the series - my job was to provide the content from the field, on the ground in Thailand.
We (my Assistant Producer, our Thai fixer and I) filmed JJ over a few days in Phuket. I met him in the lobby of the Patong Beach Resort where he was trying to get an Indian family to pay up for the damage he said their son had caused to a jet ski and a parasail tow rope he'd severed.
I had heard of jet ski scams - a fight that took place and was captured on camera in Chaweng, Samui - and I asked JJ if he would take part in our filming to tell his side of the story.
I explained that we wanted to show both sides, that undoubtedly in my view foreign tourists must damage jet skis, there must be genuine cases. Based on this understanding JJ agreed to take part in our program.
He also understood that our primary focus was British tourists in Thailand. JJ agreed to call us when he had a case which would illustrate that not all jet ski hire outfits are scam artists.
That case turned out to be the Royal Marines who we'd also been following around Phuket during the visit of their ship HMS Bulwark. And when the call came JJ even sent a motorcycle and sidecar to pick us up. I have the photo of me in transit.
We had a good working relationship with both the Royal Marines Military Police and JJ. In the end - when JJ called our fixer with the case - the two parties ended up coming together, and the rest is, well, all over Bravo and the internet.
I simply filmed what unfolded (albeit with flair and agility :-)
If anyone is still of the opinion that the scene with JJ is faked then I will today provide links to the raw, uncut footage from the events of that day and our full interviews with JJ - before and after.
If JJ must face trial by TV then at least let it be as fair as possible. For those who seem to profess a knowledge of the reality of 'reality' TV production - and I've lectured at university in it - comparing the unedited material with the broadcast version will be illustrative.
I set out to make 'Thai Cops' - a Thai version of the sorts of shows you see all the time in the U.S. and Britain. - on a shoestring. If you were expecting "insight" as one poster on a forum observed the program lacked then you're unlikely to find it on Bravo I'm afraid - certainly as I define the word.
These days you are also extremely unlikely to find insight anywhere on TV. So, as an old favorite UK TV show of mine used to say: "Go out and do something less boring instead".
Not to put too fine a point on it if Bravo were a pub in Pattaya it would be 'The Dog's Bollocks'. Or 'The Lazy Pig' where we popped in for a few drinks. See lads of 'The Lazy Pig'? I had no intention of "tripping you up".
I simply wanted to make an engaging - entertaining even - series about the work of the Thai police, the Brits who assist them and the tourists, preferably Brits, who unfortunately get into trouble in what can be a very foreign and culturally challenging country indeed.
I will say that of all the countries I've been to Thailand is my favorite - by far. And that this series was even possible is for me why Thailand is so amazing and magical. I would urge people to travel to Thailand.
Even the prisoners we interviewed in Thai jails aren't keen to return to the UK - either to serve the remaining periods of their sentence or when they're released.
Years ago I used to work on a US series called 'Real TV' in Los Angeles - probably the first caught-on-camera show which sold around the world making Paramount Domestic TV who produced it $25 million USD a year.
I never heard anyone say it would damage America's reputation or put Brits off traveling to Disneyworld. Same goes for Hill Street Blues, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, America's Scariest Police Chases and The Wire.
And in the UK better not watch the nightly news - it's horrendous and would put off even the most hardy Korean from booking a fortnight for two there. But enough of Gordon Brown.
If you have any questions about the making of Thai Cops I believe in absolute transparency - so ask away.
And gird your loins for today's first online TV 'tutorial'!
Thanks everyone for your interest,
Gavin.
China Anger: Jet-Ski Scammers Told to Behave
Photo Album Phuket's Governor has told the island's jetski operators to clean up their act, or else. His plain speaking warning came as VIPs from China told Phuket to protect their tourists.
China Anger: Jet-Ski Scammers Told to Behave
British TV Captures Gun in Phuket Jet-Ski Standoff
Big Trouble Photo Album Phuket's jet ski scams are about to be highlighted on British television in a series on tourist police that shows a gun being used to intimidate royal marines.
British TV Captures Gun in Phuket Jet-Ski Standoff
China Visitor Bucks Jetski Bid for 50,000 Baht
UPDATE Phuket's governor tells tourist horror stories of jetski operators in Patong and makes it plain that the era of the scams and ripoffs is coming to a close.
China Visitor Bucks Jetski Bid for 50,000 Baht
Governor Seeks Database of Phuket Ownership
Latest The Governor of Phuket is seeking to build a comprehensive database of property on Phuket so that future changes in ownership can be recorded.
Governor Seeks Database of Phuket Ownership
Phuket Scams 'Must End to Save Tourism'
Latest With pressure from the national government, efforts are being made on Phuket and in Bangkok to halt scams that are giving Thailand a bad name among tourists.
Phuket Scams 'Must End to Save Tourism'
British Tourist Hires Car in Patong, Vanishes
Latest Police are concerned for the safety of a British visitor who hired a car on Phuket and then vanished mysteriously, leaving the vehicle in Phang Nga Town. Blood was found on a seat.
British Tourist Hires Car in Patong, Vanishes
Chedi Phuket Goes DIY: Name Change Next?
Latest A 'divorce' after 14 years leaves the owners of the Chedi managing their own highly regarded resort . . . and there's a broad hint that the name might go eventually, too.
Chedi Phuket Goes DIY: Name Change Next?
Enviro Crackdown on All Phuket Marinas, Piers
Latest Phuket's new environmental review panel is to look at all existing and planned piers and marinas to assess the impact on marine life. The governor's aim: a better balance with nature.
Enviro Crackdown on All Phuket Marinas, Piers
And with the full co-operation of the authorities concerned in Thailand whom I cannot thank enough for their kind co-operation and trust.
Thanks for the write-up, by the way - a solid summary.
The sequence with JJ was NOT staged and I hope he is not in jail based solely on his contribution to the series. JJ was a willing participant and at the very least I am grateful for his contribution to the program. JJ was not paid to take part in the filming.
In fact. he invited us along. Nor were the Royal Marines paid as I'm sure they would be happy to confirm. Nobody was paid.
These days I'M lucky to be paid in TV - as the self-shooting P/D.
You want to see an email from my boss complaining how much the shoot was costing. That would shatter some illusions, believe you me.
I am grateful for the comments about the camerawork - someone on a forum somewhere called it "too good". Please pass that onto Vera Productions and Bravo, my employers.
I have had very little involvement and influence in the editing of the series - my job was to provide the content from the field, on the ground in Thailand.
We (my Assistant Producer, our Thai fixer and I) filmed JJ over a few days in Phuket. I met him in the lobby of the Patong Beach Resort where he was trying to get an Indian family to pay up for the damage he said their son had caused to a jet ski and a parasail tow rope he'd severed.
I had heard of jet ski scams - a fight that took place and was captured on camera in Chaweng, Samui - and I asked JJ if he would take part in our filming to tell his side of the story.
I explained that we wanted to show both sides, that undoubtedly in my view foreign tourists must damage jet skis, there must be genuine cases. Based on this understanding JJ agreed to take part in our program.
He also understood that our primary focus was British tourists in Thailand. JJ agreed to call us when he had a case which would illustrate that not all jet ski hire outfits are scam artists.
That case turned out to be the Royal Marines who we'd also been following around Phuket during the visit of their ship HMS Bulwark. And when the call came JJ even sent a motorcycle and sidecar to pick us up. I have the photo of me in transit.
We had a good working relationship with both the Royal Marines Military Police and JJ. In the end - when JJ called our fixer with the case - the two parties ended up coming together, and the rest is, well, all over Bravo and the internet.
I simply filmed what unfolded (albeit with flair and agility :-)
If anyone is still of the opinion that the scene with JJ is faked then I will today provide links to the raw, uncut footage from the events of that day and our full interviews with JJ - before and after.
If JJ must face trial by TV then at least let it be as fair as possible. For those who seem to profess a knowledge of the reality of 'reality' TV production - and I've lectured at university in it - comparing the unedited material with the broadcast version will be illustrative.
I set out to make 'Thai Cops' - a Thai version of the sorts of shows you see all the time in the U.S. and Britain. - on a shoestring. If you were expecting "insight" as one poster on a forum observed the program lacked then you're unlikely to find it on Bravo I'm afraid - certainly as I define the word.
These days you are also extremely unlikely to find insight anywhere on TV. So, as an old favorite UK TV show of mine used to say: "Go out and do something less boring instead".
Not to put too fine a point on it if Bravo were a pub in Pattaya it would be 'The Dog's Bollocks'. Or 'The Lazy Pig' where we popped in for a few drinks. See lads of 'The Lazy Pig'? I had no intention of "tripping you up".
I simply wanted to make an engaging - entertaining even - series about the work of the Thai police, the Brits who assist them and the tourists, preferably Brits, who unfortunately get into trouble in what can be a very foreign and culturally challenging country indeed.
I will say that of all the countries I've been to Thailand is my favorite - by far. And that this series was even possible is for me why Thailand is so amazing and magical. I would urge people to travel to Thailand.
Even the prisoners we interviewed in Thai jails aren't keen to return to the UK - either to serve the remaining periods of their sentence or when they're released.
Years ago I used to work on a US series called 'Real TV' in Los Angeles - probably the first caught-on-camera show which sold around the world making Paramount Domestic TV who produced it $25 million USD a year.
I never heard anyone say it would damage America's reputation or put Brits off traveling to Disneyworld. Same goes for Hill Street Blues, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, America's Scariest Police Chases and The Wire.
And in the UK better not watch the nightly news - it's horrendous and would put off even the most hardy Korean from booking a fortnight for two there. But enough of Gordon Brown.
If you have any questions about the making of Thai Cops I believe in absolute transparency - so ask away.
And gird your loins for today's first online TV 'tutorial'!
Thanks everyone for your interest,
Gavin.
China Anger: Jet-Ski Scammers Told to Behave
Photo Album Phuket's Governor has told the island's jetski operators to clean up their act, or else. His plain speaking warning came as VIPs from China told Phuket to protect their tourists.
China Anger: Jet-Ski Scammers Told to Behave
British TV Captures Gun in Phuket Jet-Ski Standoff
Big Trouble Photo Album Phuket's jet ski scams are about to be highlighted on British television in a series on tourist police that shows a gun being used to intimidate royal marines.
British TV Captures Gun in Phuket Jet-Ski Standoff
China Visitor Bucks Jetski Bid for 50,000 Baht
UPDATE Phuket's governor tells tourist horror stories of jetski operators in Patong and makes it plain that the era of the scams and ripoffs is coming to a close.
China Visitor Bucks Jetski Bid for 50,000 Baht
Governor Seeks Database of Phuket Ownership
Latest The Governor of Phuket is seeking to build a comprehensive database of property on Phuket so that future changes in ownership can be recorded.
Governor Seeks Database of Phuket Ownership
Phuket Scams 'Must End to Save Tourism'
Latest With pressure from the national government, efforts are being made on Phuket and in Bangkok to halt scams that are giving Thailand a bad name among tourists.
Phuket Scams 'Must End to Save Tourism'
British Tourist Hires Car in Patong, Vanishes
Latest Police are concerned for the safety of a British visitor who hired a car on Phuket and then vanished mysteriously, leaving the vehicle in Phang Nga Town. Blood was found on a seat.
British Tourist Hires Car in Patong, Vanishes
Chedi Phuket Goes DIY: Name Change Next?
Latest A 'divorce' after 14 years leaves the owners of the Chedi managing their own highly regarded resort . . . and there's a broad hint that the name might go eventually, too.
Chedi Phuket Goes DIY: Name Change Next?
Enviro Crackdown on All Phuket Marinas, Piers
Latest Phuket's new environmental review panel is to look at all existing and planned piers and marinas to assess the impact on marine life. The governor's aim: a better balance with nature.
Enviro Crackdown on All Phuket Marinas, Piers
The JJ example is really typical in Thailand, in the way they handle things with tourists when something goes wrong.
Sadly they wanna show you that it is their land and no matter if you are right or wrong.
The problem is more about people believing they can act as they want here just because they are Thai nationals without respecting any law.
I honestly think this kind of movie was necessary for the Thai people to see how we see them most of the time. I do know that such behaviour concerns only a very few percentage of the population here but this percentage does the damages among the international community.
In life we generally remember what is bad, rather than what is good.
Posted by Antony on September 11, 2009 12:52