Governor Backs Patong Zoning for Jet-Skis
By Prasit Tarnsirisin Thursday, December 11, 2014
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong. said today that he has approved the zoning plan for jet-skis at Patong beach and hopes it can be extended to cover other beaches.
The zoning, alternating 500 metres of space for swimmers with 300 metres of space for jet-skis along the central 2.1 kilometres of the popular west coast beach, has been recently introduced by Patong Mayor Chalermlak Kebsub.
Governor Nisit said that he backed the idea. The Chief of Marine Office 5, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, has undertaken to revoke the licence to operate of any jet-ski hirer caught abusing the rules, the governor told a meeting with the media at Phuket Provincial Hall.
Critics of jet-ski zoning say the two 300-metre zones give jet-skis more space than they deserve, and that swimmers often blunder into the jet-ski zone because there is noone at the beach to warn them they are not supposed to be there.
A newspaper poll shows 75 percent of respondents would prefer that they were banned. Jet-skis were supposed to be phased out over seven years but compromises by the governor's predecessors led to them staying on and growing in number.
Phuket's honorary consuls say some operators continue to be involved in intimidating customers to pay excessive amounts for damage repairs that should be covered by insurance.
The mayor also has plans to reintroduce a limited number of sunbeds and umbrellas to Patong.
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Comments
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If, read IF noisy, polluting, dangerous jet ski's get allowed a zoning with 2 or 3 small "leaving & landing" sides of each 25 meters width. CLEARLY marked buy sufficient RED buoys on each side would be more safe and logical. A few bravoure and polluting tourists should not be allowed to endanger others lives. Even an alcohol cheque & license cheque should be enforced. In most European countries no High speeds are allowed within 300 meters of the shore line. When will Thailand put Safety and enviroment at first. Why it is always money and greed? Read today's top stories about corruption and power abuse and please start using sense. So IF you allow JetSki's create a few small landing strips and for the para sails a coupLe of platforms 300 meter out of the shore-line.
SAFTY FIRST.
Posted by
phuketgreed
on
December 11, 2014 16:50
Oh dear, here we are again. So how is it legal for this business to operate on the beach and others not?
If the Gov has faith in the Marine Police to enforce this (even though it should not be happening in the first place) he will shortly learn from that mistake!
Stand by for many more jet ski rip off and government inaction reports over the next few months,
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
December 11, 2014 19:04
Editor Comment:
Best not to confuse the Marine Police with Marine Office 5, two separate unconnected organisations.
Has any jet ski licence ever been revoked? Is any revocation likely in future? I think we all know the answer......
Posted by
phonus balonus
on
December 11, 2014 19:14
Editor Comment:
Crying usually prevents any action.
300 meters out of every 800 meters of beach will be for jet skis exclusive use? That's really showing them who's boss! That will really keep them under control.
Posted by
Arun Muruga
on
December 11, 2014 19:46
"Crying usually prevents any action."
Ah yes - I see Laguna are suckers for plaintive tears, and are now relocating all the Bangtao vendors onto their private land
Posted by
phonus balonus
on
December 11, 2014 20:06
@Carl. ThE system I suggest is not invited by me but used worldwide (where Safety is accepted as minimal acceptance)!
Leaving from a platform is not different then from a beach/sand. Landing in the water should be part of the fun. (Gives parachutes time to dry). If you prefer accidents above Safety First (for the majority of swimmers/family's & playing kids) then please apply for "S5" & get free (forced) entry in a (safe low rise building) mental-institution. If so get/do it in your home country.to safe Thai Tax payers (lost of) money.
When does some-one (with THAI Authority) in this (by me beloved) country do the mathematical part and also is willing to publish how many needless "Dead body counts" we yearly have on this island caused by GREED!
(NO Bike-driver-licence / NO experience / No Helmet, No Safety Swimming Gear will cruising on boats, No Quality checks on Buses/Gears!....No.... NO....... Evertime Mai Pan Rai...... Only Money & GREED..... counts, gets divided and so on ..... STOP this! Safe People & keep Thailands Rice Bowl Alive! STOP being selfish.
Posted by
phuketgreed
on
December 11, 2014 22:22
Many people have little patience if any. Why not give Phuket (officials) time to make corrections benifiting locals and tourists. Phuket is no different than any place in this world -both pluses and minuses aplenty. However, as a visitor for the past twelve years I give Phuket thumbsup for being an absolute wonderful location to spend time enjoying the people, the food, the scenery, the weather and general sincerity.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2014 22:55
So this is only back to the past. I hoped that next time visiting Phuket there would be a ban of jetskies and parasailors
Posted by
Lars
on
December 12, 2014 02:28
I wonder if the Governor or the Mayor have ever spent a day at the beach before.... NO DECKCHAIRS, NO UMBRELLAS, NO HIRING A SURFBOARD, NO BUYING FOOD..... but let's have NOISY DANGEROUS POLLUTING JETSKI'S RACING AROUND UNCONTROLLED for HIRE.... what a joke!!!!!!
Posted by
DG
on
December 12, 2014 04:28
Oh dear... compromise is the solution (again) and the thoughts of the public and tourists is never in the equation. Pretty amazing for an Island so dependent on tourists.
Posted by
Duncan
on
December 12, 2014 06:29
@Anonymous.
After reading your tolerating and Mai Pen Rai (easy easy, give the authorities time for changes and improvements). I want to mention that for Life-taking/saving matter. To Jet-Ski's, Speed-boats, Para-sailing and unlicensed motor-bike rental the world-wide common standard: SAFETY FIRST should be practised. Prohibited till acceptable and so safe solutions are found. It is if we get more deathly accidents but when and how many (we will know off).
Posted by
phuketgreed
on
December 12, 2014 07:53
@Anonymous (Secondly). What lately been changed (outside words), organised by local officials! That would justify them the benefit of the doubt? Mention me improvements only please. I have "daily" a young kid playing & swimming in the sea. I have an "obligation & urge" to protect her first. And I feel the need to do the same (protection) to the innocent kids from unaware visitors/tourist. Living here for over a decade I'm also aware that figures show only few Thai's have day time or are able to swim (water fear and "sun protection". I'm quit sure if more accidents had happened with Thai(kids). We would not have an overflow of jetski's. The motorbike driving accidents are a different case.
Posted by
phuketgreed
on
December 12, 2014 08:06
Basically, Phuket is fast returning to the diseased state it was in prior to the change in government. Unless, the powers that be in Bangkok make clear that the anti corruption policies and the clean up promised will be implemented, I expect that by January, sunbeds and vendors will be back in force at the beaches.
Posted by
Ryan
on
December 12, 2014 08:53
Editor Comment:
Doomsaying, Ryan? The changes for the good are evident to all. But you seem to succumb to cynicism. Whether Phuket moves forward or back, time will tell. Negativism achieves nothing.
Thank you for the correction Mr Ed, it was indeed the Marine Office I meant to critique.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
December 12, 2014 09:28
Oh those horrible loungers and umbrellas, absolutely ruining the beach experience. Quick, throw all those vendors in jail!! Good grief, what a red herring. The real problems Phuket faces that will kill tourism are traffic and lack of zoning.
Posted by
E Blair 48
on
December 12, 2014 09:39
Is Marine Office 5 direct under command of NCPO? Is it the government body in charge of beaches so far? ( even about the continues sea pollution of the hotel on Racha island?). If so, why NCPO does not order clearly how to act and what to do? So far there is in everything on Phuket to much room for 'thai' interpretations. Than nothing will move 'forward'.
Posted by
Kurt
on
December 12, 2014 09:49
Editor Comment:
Local councils control the beaches. Marine Office 5 controls regulations governing the coastal waters. Your constant denigration of ''thai'' interpretations makes many of your comments valueless. All interpretations are Thai for obvious reasons. Lose the bigotry please, Kurt.
Who are the owners of these companies and what is the name of these different companies? Give me the names of these firms then I'll go into the tax office in Phuket Town and a complaint they will never give up a receipt when someone rents jet ski from them.Have some friends who rented a house for about three years and she would of course not repay the deposit, so they pulled into the Tax Office in Phuket Town and gave them all receipts on rent how much they had paid, owner received a bill of 15% of rent + 60% penalty tax from the Tax office. Anyone who rents out must pay 15% tax of income.
Posted by
Bjorn Ronningen
on
December 12, 2014 12:01
The only thing you can expect from marine office 5 is excuses or one of 2 comments its was a accident or it was a misunderstanding too many swimmers are found floating or washed up deceased with a gash in their head cause of death is explained away as a drowning no coronary inquests in Thailand so no problem must be a accidental drowning I fear more of these accidental drowning's with this unworkable unsafe zoning wonder solution by the political powers that be, you may well go to Phuket for a beach holiday but its not safe in the water.
Posted by
slickmelb
on
December 13, 2014 00:54
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If, read IF noisy, polluting, dangerous jet ski's get allowed a zoning with 2 or 3 small "leaving & landing" sides of each 25 meters width. CLEARLY marked buy sufficient RED buoys on each side would be more safe and logical. A few bravoure and polluting tourists should not be allowed to endanger others lives. Even an alcohol cheque & license cheque should be enforced. In most European countries no High speeds are allowed within 300 meters of the shore line. When will Thailand put Safety and enviroment at first. Why it is always money and greed? Read today's top stories about corruption and power abuse and please start using sense. So IF you allow JetSki's create a few small landing strips and for the para sails a coupLe of platforms 300 meter out of the shore-line.
SAFTY FIRST.
Posted by phuketgreed on December 11, 2014 16:50