PHUKET: The jet-ski hire company involved in the extortion of Chinese tourists on Phuket this week will be closed down and its owner banned from the industry, Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong said today.
He was speaking at the Royal Thai Navy Base at Cape Panwa, on Phuket's east coast, at a meeting with top Navy officers, key Phuket mayors and about 40 members of the Phuket media.
Governor Nisit was told that the Phuket Marine Office 5 chief, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, had suggested that as punishment, two of the company's four jet-skis would be deregistered for one month, and that the owner would be fined 10,000 baht.
The governor said it was his intention to make sure that the company was closed down and its owner banned from the industry.
Just as Phuket's governor has no direct control over the police and many other departments, he has no direct control over Phuket Marine Office 5, which is responsible for regulating the international holiday island's jet-skis.
However, the governor does have enormous influence and it would be a surprise if his judgement on the matter did not prevail.
Chinese tourist Zhang Cheng, 27, made a complaint to Cherng Talay police and the Phuket Damrungtam ombudsman's office after jet-ski owner Ae Yotharak and two other men demanded 200,000 baht in compensation when two jet-skis collided.
The jet-ski operators held the rest of the party of six on the beach at Bang Tao while Zhang Cheng was sent to find compensation.
He eventually handed over more than 90,000 baht, although another jet-ski owner suggested the damage could be fixed for about 20,000 baht.
Khun Ae later refunded 40,000 baht, leaving him still well ahead on the scam.
It later emerged that the jet-skis were not insured. Although jet-ski insurance is not comprehensive and for this reason scams and rip-offs still take place at Patong beach especially, all of Phuket's 286 registered jet-skis are required to have insurance.
For Khun Ae to rent uninsured jet-skis was a clear breach of the understanding that operators are obliged to obey the regulations, or suffer the consequences.
Most of the punishments for breaches of regulations by jet-ski owners have been slight.
If Khun Ae loses his livelihood, as the governor insists, the punishment will send a clear message to other jet-ski operators about continuing scams and extortion.
Khun Phuripat is believed to have been in Trang province for the past few days.
He was speaking at the Royal Thai Navy Base at Cape Panwa, on Phuket's east coast, at a meeting with top Navy officers, key Phuket mayors and about 40 members of the Phuket media.
Governor Nisit was told that the Phuket Marine Office 5 chief, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, had suggested that as punishment, two of the company's four jet-skis would be deregistered for one month, and that the owner would be fined 10,000 baht.
The governor said it was his intention to make sure that the company was closed down and its owner banned from the industry.
Just as Phuket's governor has no direct control over the police and many other departments, he has no direct control over Phuket Marine Office 5, which is responsible for regulating the international holiday island's jet-skis.
However, the governor does have enormous influence and it would be a surprise if his judgement on the matter did not prevail.
Chinese tourist Zhang Cheng, 27, made a complaint to Cherng Talay police and the Phuket Damrungtam ombudsman's office after jet-ski owner Ae Yotharak and two other men demanded 200,000 baht in compensation when two jet-skis collided.
The jet-ski operators held the rest of the party of six on the beach at Bang Tao while Zhang Cheng was sent to find compensation.
He eventually handed over more than 90,000 baht, although another jet-ski owner suggested the damage could be fixed for about 20,000 baht.
Khun Ae later refunded 40,000 baht, leaving him still well ahead on the scam.
It later emerged that the jet-skis were not insured. Although jet-ski insurance is not comprehensive and for this reason scams and rip-offs still take place at Patong beach especially, all of Phuket's 286 registered jet-skis are required to have insurance.
For Khun Ae to rent uninsured jet-skis was a clear breach of the understanding that operators are obliged to obey the regulations, or suffer the consequences.
Most of the punishments for breaches of regulations by jet-ski owners have been slight.
If Khun Ae loses his livelihood, as the governor insists, the punishment will send a clear message to other jet-ski operators about continuing scams and extortion.
Khun Phuripat is believed to have been in Trang province for the past few days.
Well said Governor. I just hope his "advice" is followed through as Marine Office 5 has a poor reputation as far as enforcement is concerned.
Keep on their case, PW. These gangsters need to be shown the door.
Posted by jimbo34 on February 12, 2015 14:02