THE Governor of Phuket, Wichai Praisa-nob, has called a meeting this afternoon in Patong of all parties to try to resolve Phuket's jet-ski problems.

At the meeting, expected to last for two hours or more, will be the island's chief of police, representatives from the Marine Police, the Royal Thai Navy, jet-ski owners and the local tessaban Patong authority.

It is understood that ''JJ,'' a jet-ski operator seen confronting British Marines in a newly-made television series depicting the activities of Thailand's tourist police, was called in for questioning by police yesterday.

The tv series, 'Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand,' graphically depicts an incident in which ''JJ'' demands 44,000 baht for alleged damage to a jet-ski.

He is filmed with a gun in his hand while heatedly negotiating a price for the damage with British marines from HMS Bulwark.

The British warship docked at Phuket earlier this year, allowing leave for military personnel returning from duty in Afghanistan.

'Big Trouble' first screened in Britain on Monday night, becoming the latest incident to damage Phuket's reputation as a safe, non-violent destination for tourists.

It is expected the 'Big Trouble' series will be sold around the world, continuing to damage Phuket's reputation for years to come.

Thais who have downloaded the show have also been astonished at the damaging way Thailand is depicted. The incident involving ''JJ'' and jet-ski ''damage'' on Phuket is seen as another blow to the island's troubled reputation.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban recently echoed calls from Australian and British diplomats for Phuket and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to end the rip-offs and the damaging scams.

One major source of complaint is the jet-ski scam, where tourists are accused of damaging jet-skis, although the damage is pre-existing.

Local police have been accused of being in cahoots with the jet-ski operators, taking commission on the scams.

Governor Wichai and the island's Police Chief, Police Major General Pekad Tantipong, have taken charge of all future complaints involving jet-skis.

A previous governor organised the phasing-out of all jet-skis on the island over seven years. Instead of reducing, numbers have increased.

Jet-skis are banned in Phuket's neighboring tourist provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi.



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