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Olden days at Patong when tourists would find themselves accused

Phuket Jet-Ski Operators Make 109 Accident Claims

Friday, February 26, 2010
UPDATE

Jet-ski operators have made 109 claims since the insurance scheme was introduced on November 17 up to February 5, according to figures from the Insurance Commission. The claims involved payouts totalling 422,104.55 baht. Forty-three jet-ski vendors have missed monthly insurance payments and had policies cancelled.

Original Report

PHUKET'S insurance for jet-skis scheme is not working as well as it should, a meeting at Provincial Hall was told yesterday.

Some jet-ski operators are still hiring out vehicles while uninsured. Others are not keeping up to date with their insurance payments, the meeting heard.

Most of the problems are in Patong, according to the President of the Phuket Jet-Ski Assocation, Decha Salea.

The island has 219 registered jet-skis that were all supposed to be insured under a world-first plan introduced last year to obliterate the scamming of tourists.

Operators would claim that pre-existing damage was done by the rider and extort large sums of money, sometimes 30,000 baht or more.

Jet-skis operate at Patong, Bang Tao, Kamala, Karon and Kata, with most by far at Patong.

Vice Governor Treerayut Eamtakul said it would be up to the directors of each district to organise a committee to make sure that the jet-skis in their districts were fully insured.
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Comments

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The reason should be obvious, they are not really in the 'hiring jetski' business, thats a front for the 'intimidating tourists into paying false damages' business. Hence any insurance scheme ultimately undermines their biz plan (unless they can get paid twice).

Of course when the spotlight is on they revert to their cover, and of course they were forced to go along with starting insurances, but its not what they really make the money from.

Posted by LivinLOS on February 26, 2010 08:08

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The only solution is an outright ban. Phuket's image would benefit, the environment would benefit and the beaches would be cleaner. Sounds like a plan to me. Now lets get someone with the kahunas and a bullet proof vest to pull it off :)
Tom

Posted by tom on February 26, 2010 09:46

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THIS WAS ALWAYS GOING TO HAPPEN...
1 NO ONE CAN CONTROL IT [WHO IS IN CHARGE OF CONTROL?]

2 CORRUPTION STILL RULES


3 THE INSURANCE IF YOU READ IT FULLY ,IS NOT SUITABLE

4 A LEOPARD NEVER CHANGES HIS SPOTS

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR A SOLUTION,ANOTHER 10 YEARS...SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT

Posted by barka on February 26, 2010 11:51

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i am not sure whats so difficult. If your car is not tax/insured you get stopped and fined.

Why would it be any different with jetskis? Just start fining the owners and failure to insure leads to arrests.

Not too difficult in most countries, just seems to be difficult here.

Posted by Tbs on February 26, 2010 14:14

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Jet Skis also operate illegally in Surin although Phuketwan doesn't like including this when mentioning them for some reason. Maybe Phuketwan could do some investigation as to who is running these jet skis at Surin and why they are allowed to operate when legally they are not?

Posted by Jimmy on February 26, 2010 15:54

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Just let the new and forceful police colonel confiscate the not insured jetskis. Breakdown. They dance on your nose. Do not tolerate that. :)

Posted by Lena on February 26, 2010 17:21

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BAN JET-SKIs and everybody is happy.

Posted by NEClausen on February 27, 2010 01:39

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What happened to the (in)famous JJ? Did he just get a smack on the wrist?

Posted by Ivan on February 27, 2010 12:20

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would really love to hear what is happening about the case to JJ if the administration in Phuket does not have the balls to deal with him then they may as well pack up and go home, I really hope the tax department have spoken to him as well, if I ever get pulled in for questioning again I will ask.

Posted by Michael on March 1, 2010 10:28

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The weirdest thing of all is that it is against the law in Thailand to rent out jetskis..I mean, how can you get insurance for what is actually criminal behavior? It's true folks, renting out jetskis on a public beach is illegal in Thailand. Fact.

Posted by christos on March 8, 2010 15:42


Friday March 29, 2024
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