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Phuket Jet-Ski Access at Patong Beach to be Reduced for Swim Safety

Thursday, January 22, 2015
PHUKET: Jet-skis at Phuket's Patong beach are to be restricted to narrower access in a victory for swimmers' safety and commonsense, Phuketwan has learned.

Although the two 500 metre stretches of prime beach handed over to jet-skis, speedboats and longtails are to disappear, it's not clear as yet what will replace them.

Any plan that reduces the access of jet-skis to Patong beachfront will improve the quality of the beach - and probably save lives.

A previous attempt at a compromise between the commerce-free beaches and the private enterprise jet-skis in the water gave over prime space on the sand to the machines and their masters.

It meant that anyone who sat down on the beach in the jet-ski only zone either took their chances in the water with the machines or had to walk hundreds of metres along the beach to go for a safe swim.

It's believed the Governor of Phuket, Nisit Jansomwong, ordered the reduction in the access for jet-skis followng complaints and articles in Phuketwan highlighting the dangers.

The new superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Chaiwat Auikam, said yesterday that more talks on safety at Patong beach are to take place between the governor, the Royal Thai Navy and Phuket's Marine 5 Office, which registers and controls the jet-skis.

Criticism of the jet-skis is widespread, with three out of four people surveyed in a recent Phuket tabloid poll preferring the beaches without them.

Confusion also remains about where jet-skis are allowed to operate on Phuket. Eleven jet-skis were spotted on Relax Bay, the beach in front of the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort earlier this week.

Previously, jet-skis were believed to be banned from operating there.

A move to phase out jet-skis from Phuket over seven years failed when a succession of governors decided instead to compromise.

Comments

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Recent news that jet-skis paid 5000 baht a year for 'registration' although no receipt was given was telling.

Add that up with a cut from all the scams and it is a nice earner for some officials. No wonder nothing is ever done about these people.

Posted by Arun Muruga on January 22, 2015 09:43

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Finally, a step in the right direction!

This is best for all people on Phuket:

-Tourists that want to swim and relax on the beach without risking life or geting disturbed by the noicy, smelly jet skis and their rude thugs.

-Thai and expats that have their income from the tourist industry. Its obvious that 75% of all people dont want jet skis and parasailers on the beach at all. Tourists that dont feel safe and comfortable with jet skis and parasialing speed boats near/on the beach will not return.

Banning or limiting those machines means better business for everyone (except the jet ski/parasailing thugs).

The best solution is to let them operate only at the ends of the beach and nowhere else!
Thats also very easy for everyone to understand: Jet skis and parsaialers at the ends, the rest of the beach for swimmers!

Posted by PhuketFriendly on January 22, 2015 10:31

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we shall see, we shall see

Posted by sky on January 22, 2015 10:59

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I hope that jet-skis will be banned for good on the beaches for the safety of the tourists, this has been discussed for many years, I hope the new Superintendent Col. Chaiwat Auikam will help to get jet skis away wery soon. They are noisy, rented out to peoples who not even are able to ride a small motorbike, in my country they are 100% forbidden.
80% of the tourists want jet skis away for good......
Thanks for your atention...

Posted by expat scandinavian on January 22, 2015 11:14

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I have seen effective "landing strips" in other countries... About 25 meters width. For jetski's.... always keep left... They go 300 meters in the sea.... jetski's have to use these zones and stay at all times 300 meters from the beach/sand. For safety reasons. ... Give the parasaold and the speedboat their own landing strip... and never cloder then the 300 meters from the beach/sand.... USE many colored floaters and a long line with signs on the beach in many languages to inform the public... keep all motorised boats away from the beach/sand...

Posted by phuketgreed on January 22, 2015 14:21

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Lets wait and see....

The governors never compromised, they just enjoyed their operation while they were in control.

Posted by Tbs on January 22, 2015 16:43

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Just today, there was a jetski accident in Surin Beach, where jet skis are supposed to be prohibited. I welcome the reduction in jetskis anywhere. Hopefully they will once again prove themselves incorrigible, thus leading to an all out ban on the miserable things and the punk thugs that operate them.

Posted by Ed Sanders on January 22, 2015 16:59

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Just get rid of them!

Posted by Anonymous on January 22, 2015 17:34

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Just get rid of the bloody things ! The improvement for tourists and the increase to the perception of Phuket as a quality tourist destination are immeasurable

Stop thinking of short term pocket lining and think of the long term sustainable future of Phuket ..... PLEASE !!!

Posted by Amazing Thailand on January 22, 2015 18:24

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A single driving jetty removed in low season permits a departure far enough from the beach,so danger is gone

Posted by khunphilip on January 22, 2015 20:53

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I fully agree no dangerous/polluting/stinking/noisy jetski's would be the best. But what is happening currently is so bad/corrupted/greedy/dangerous it needs to be stopped before more people die.

Posted by phuketgreed on January 23, 2015 02:54

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At last Common sense prevails. I hope the Navy reads the Phuketwan to. If the start waking up now, because it only 5 minutes to twelve the can still cancel the lawsuit against my hero's Chutima and Alan. The Phuketwan initiated all help for thousands of Royingha's. Does no one in the Military in Thailand recognise and admits these facts. How can the Army keep wearing blinkers. The Eyes off the world are all focused on The Land off the free. The world gers more Amazed by What is happening here. If this proces really take start Thailand will be the topic of the News Globally. No TAT campagne ever can then undo the damage made.

Posted by phuketgreed on June 12, 2015 12:46


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