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New shirts, new attitude: jet-ski operators hear the governor today

Jet-Ski Hirers Now 'Brand Ambassadors'

Thursday, August 29, 2013
PHUKET: Jet-ski operators are ''brand ambassadors'' for Phuket who need to dress and act accordingly, Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud told 80 of them today in the first of a seminar series.

Making an animated appeal to the jet-ski groups, Governor Maitree urged them to take pride in their appearance, and to put their hair up in buns if it was too long.

The governor paid for blue shirts for them all and urged them to take pride in their roles, and to speak politely to their customers.

He even went a step further: ''Why not drop the price a bit, and see how that goes? You might be pleasantly surprised if customers come back.''

Governor Maitree spared none of his charm in urging the jet-ski operators to use their charm.

He promised them, before leaving the Patong Resort this evening, a long session in learning how to shake hands and wai with genuine warmth.

He told them that the planned ''365 Days of Andaman Safety'' campaign would work for them: ''If you can do it, you will get what you deserve.''

''Black'' illegal jet-skis were a no-no, he said. ''I want to look into the eyes of you all and see whether you have the capacity to behave well or not.''

He let them into his long-term plan: ''I intend to replace all the tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers with women. Women understand how to behave properly.

''Women understand how to treat other people well, and to be sweet. If you want to do this job well, you must be sweet boys, or we will replace you with women.''

That brought the best laugh of the day, and perhaps earned the governor some extra listeners.

Governor Maitree went on to explain how important the role of the jet-ski operators was in beach safety.

Another day long seminar is to be held tomorrow. ''If I have the budget, I will keep these seminars rolling all year long,'' the governor said.

Audience members today came from Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Bang Tao and possibly another beach where jet-skis were once not permitted.

Comments

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is this open to public viewing??

Posted by paul on August 29, 2013 14:36

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"He let them into his long-term plan: ''I intend to replace all the tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers with women".

With this statement, the governor has shown that he's away with the fairies in La-La land.

With regard to the jet-skis, what has uniforms and putting hair in a bun addressing the problem of rip-offs?

Posted by sir burr on August 29, 2013 14:45

Editor Comment:

Better to be ripped off politely, sir burr.

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look forward to seeing J.J in his blue shirt , dressing wolves in sheeps clothing will not address the issues whatsoever.

Posted by slickmelb on August 29, 2013 15:27

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The skin of a sheep on the back of a wolf will never be a real sheep.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 29, 2013 15:59

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A nice thought but I guess even the most optimistic person must admit that this is never going to happen, but I am sure that they appreciate the free T shirt.

Posted by Sailor on August 29, 2013 16:08

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The skin of a sheep on the back of a wolf will never transform a wolf in sheep.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 29, 2013 17:21

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In Thailand, there is no marine training center in the Andaman Sea and the 2 marine training centers are in Samut Prakan and Pattaya.

Therefore, all boat captains have no choice but to work one year at least in a boat operator company and is eligible to apply to get a helmsman boat licence by complacency witout proper training in marine regulation, safety and rescue.

Boat operators in Thailand along the andaman Sea would be happy to have a marine training center to get better skilled boat crews.

MERCHANT MARINE TRAINING CENTRE - 120 Moo 7, Soi Tessaban 6, Sukhumvit Road, Bangduan, Samut Prakan 10270 THAILAND Tel: 02 756 49 71/80 Website: http://www.mmtc.ac.th FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMMTC

ASIAN MARITIME TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGE - 79/4 Moo 4, Bung, Sriracha,
Chonburi 20230 THAILAND Tel: 038 042 011 Mobile: 086 377 71 98 Email: russell@amcol.ac.th Website: http://www.amcolasia.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asian-Maritime-Technological-College/554964131202349

Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 29, 2013 17:59

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Golf caddies here on Phuket are all women, in spite of that being caddy is a hard physical work. what is the reason for that?

Posted by Sherlock on August 29, 2013 19:31

Editor Comment:

If you think being a golf caddy is hard physical work, Sherlock, one wonders what your reference points are. A golf caddy carries a bag for three or four hours. Have you seen a Burmese laborer, making concrete bricks? Have you been inside a fish factory? Your life, Sherlock, must be all golf courses and beaches. Lucky you.

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Another window dressing exercise of little or no value.

I sure hope the Ambassadors and HCs are not falling for such cheap tricks and keep the pressure up.

Posted by ThaiMike on August 29, 2013 20:03

Editor Comment:

Education is an essential part of the process, ThaiMike, so seminars explaining flaws in attitudes are not wasted, nor are they a ''cheap trick'' or ''window dressing.'' I am often surprised how hard-headed onlookers fail to take account of the human factors. The ''cheap trick'' is the vapid opinion on what should happen, without taking account of what's actually involved.

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the governor shows once again that he has no idea what is going on.. if he believes the problem with the jet-ski hirers is their dress code - one has to ask if he actually bothered to listen to the complaints of the consuls et al..

Posted by another steve on August 29, 2013 20:37

Editor Comment:

Make an appointment, go along and ask the governor if you think he has ''no idea what's going on,'' another steve. The governor's speech was all pretty much accurate, and just the first part of a day-long seminar. Unless you're been stopping by on the sly to explain the truths of tourism to jet-ski operators without telling us, it's probably their first chance to hear first-hand about the bigger picture, a vision that contrasts with their own outlook. And by the way, what is your strategy?
Best not to imagine you know the solutions to problems you've only observed from a distance.

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At least it is a start and credit where credit is due, looking at the photos the operators attended in large numbers.
It will be interesting to see if attendance numbers continue, which would be a good indication as to whether or not change is possible.

Posted by Richard on August 30, 2013 10:07

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@ Ed - The relevant part here was that women are preferred to do this service job.

But to correct some misunderstandings then I was a construction worker for many ears, so I have been there.

Have you ever tried carrying a bag, that weighs more than one third of your own weight, in a hilly terrain 6 km in the tropical sun?

Posted by Sherlock on August 30, 2013 13:29

Editor Comment:

Women work as caddies all over Thailand. Most likely it's not a job that men want to do.
Surely Phuket has enough issues without creating one that doesn't seem to be there?

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The Governor's comments certainly inspired Khun Siriporn (female Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Phuket Office) to tell the Australian Honorary Consul to keep his nose out of Jet Ski complaints and " . . . it is not wise to always say bad things about Phuket while you are still living and doing your business in this city.''

Or else?

Posted by Baralan on August 30, 2013 14:26

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Right. More delays, more obfuscation and a continued refusal to enforce the existing rules, laws and regulations. I'm sure the declaration of replacing the male drivers with women went over like a lead balloon. Aside from it being discriminatory and illegal , it was just a totally outlandish statement that will provoke resentment. The governor has just demonstrated his inability to deal with the problem. What is so difficult about going to the beaches and removing the illegal jet skis and crushing them? What is so difficult about going to the beaches and enforcing the existing pollution control, drug and licensing requirements? Is it because of the corruption and gross negligence along with the involvement of local politicians and police officials in these activities?

Posted by ryan on August 30, 2013 15:07

Editor Comment:

It was a joke, ryan. ''Be sweet, you guys, or I'll replace you with women.''

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Editor: Ok, thanks. I obviously misunderstood. Apologies to the Governor in that regard.

Posted by ryan on August 30, 2013 17:51

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heehehe...repeat customers? Is this guy dreaming?

Posted by Two4u on August 31, 2013 10:43


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