PHUKET: The arrest in Pattaya of a Danish man accused of selling a motorcycle hired on Phuket shows how widespread thefts are becoming, a vendor spokesman said today.
''There are so many thefts by tourists,'' said Anont Mhan-Lee, the Patong-based president of the Motorcycle Rental Association.
His concern came in an interview with Phuketwan as Dennis Mark Knudsen, 24, was being escorted back to Phuket from Pattaya.
''Some tourists these days have a fake passport and a real one,'' said Khun Anont. ''They present the fake one to the hirer.
''They steal the bike, sell it, then flee the country with the proceeds.''
According to Phuket police, Mr Knudsen only got as far as Pattaya where local police nabbed him in an Internet cafe near the day-night market about 5pm yesterday.
Mr Knudsen, arrested on a warrant issued on Phuket on August 27, denied stealing the motorcycle. He said he would wait to talk to a judge when he appears in court.
Motorcycles for hire have become contentious on Phuket, with honorary consuls urging hirers to become more careful about the skills of riders - especially on big motorcycles - before hiring them to novices.
The level of concern has increased following the deaths of two Frenchmen who came off a 400 cc motorcycle and were killed within 24 hours of their arrival on Phuket.
As well as safety concerns, Khun Anont said today that hirers needed to be more careful for their own protection.
He could not give a precise figure but said the number of motorcycles being stolen by people using fake passports had risen and would reach new heights this high season.
Efforts to put a gps into motorcycles had so far proved fruitless, although the car hirers who had the same problem were now being encouraged to track their vehicles that way.
A gps for a motorcycle was too expensive, though, at 20,000-25,000 baht, Khun Anont said.
''There are so many thefts by tourists,'' said Anont Mhan-Lee, the Patong-based president of the Motorcycle Rental Association.
His concern came in an interview with Phuketwan as Dennis Mark Knudsen, 24, was being escorted back to Phuket from Pattaya.
''Some tourists these days have a fake passport and a real one,'' said Khun Anont. ''They present the fake one to the hirer.
''They steal the bike, sell it, then flee the country with the proceeds.''
According to Phuket police, Mr Knudsen only got as far as Pattaya where local police nabbed him in an Internet cafe near the day-night market about 5pm yesterday.
Mr Knudsen, arrested on a warrant issued on Phuket on August 27, denied stealing the motorcycle. He said he would wait to talk to a judge when he appears in court.
Motorcycles for hire have become contentious on Phuket, with honorary consuls urging hirers to become more careful about the skills of riders - especially on big motorcycles - before hiring them to novices.
The level of concern has increased following the deaths of two Frenchmen who came off a 400 cc motorcycle and were killed within 24 hours of their arrival on Phuket.
As well as safety concerns, Khun Anont said today that hirers needed to be more careful for their own protection.
He could not give a precise figure but said the number of motorcycles being stolen by people using fake passports had risen and would reach new heights this high season.
Efforts to put a gps into motorcycles had so far proved fruitless, although the car hirers who had the same problem were now being encouraged to track their vehicles that way.
A gps for a motorcycle was too expensive, though, at 20,000-25,000 baht, Khun Anont said.
The solution would be simple and used all over the world. Require a Credit Card to rent a car or motorbike, and why not a Jet Ski too.
The CC company's involvement requires the renter to issue a proper rental agreement. Furthermore it has to be a legally registered company with VAT ID number. Much safer for the customer.
Equally the Credit Card functions as both a collateral and positive identification for the rental company, thus virtually eliminating their risk and invalidating any excuse given for the illegal practise of keeping passports as collateral
A win-win situation for everyone, except those who wish to avoid paying taxes, run damage/lost property scams or charge excessive fees for actual damage caused.
Going official will hardly appeal to these individuals but put the proposal to them and see what excuses they come up with not to. I'll be fun to watch.
Posted by Andrew on September 21, 2012 16:54