PHUKET: Tighter rules aimed at controlling jet-ski rip-offs of tourists have been announced by Thailand's Tourist Department, which aims to bring them into effect on Phuket and in Pattaya.
The rules are designed to ''develop a new standard'' for quality service from jet-ski operators who are often accused of deceit and inflating the price of damage repairs in those two key destinations.
The department's director-general, Arnupap Gaesornsuwan, said the service standards were part of the government's effort to promote the Thai tourism industry.
A constant stream of complaints made via honorary consuls, Tourist Police, national ambassadors and through social media, with videos posted on YouTube, has raised international awareness of the jet-ski issue.
Khun Arnupap said that checks would be made to ensure insurance applied to all jet-skis. Jet-ski rental shops must have certified supervisors with first-aid training in the service area at all times, according to the announcement.
However, with new rules issued by the National Council for Peace and Order, jet-ski operators are not permitted to operate on Phuket beaches and have to remain in the water.
It is believed that Patong beach vendors, barred from opening stalls on the sand, complained that the jet-skis, also a commercial venture, were parking on the beaches.
Some expat residents have been calling for the jet-skis to be banned from Phuket entirely. At one stage, a governor attempted to phase them out over a period of seven years.
Khun Arnupap said said: ''We're encouraging jet-ski business operators in Thailand to recognise the need and importance of these standards and promptly move to improve their quality of service, staff skills and business ethics in order to meet these standards.''
Phuket's Marine 5 Chief, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, said today that Marine 5 remained in control of Phuket's jet-skis and the new controls came as news to him.
The rules are designed to ''develop a new standard'' for quality service from jet-ski operators who are often accused of deceit and inflating the price of damage repairs in those two key destinations.
The department's director-general, Arnupap Gaesornsuwan, said the service standards were part of the government's effort to promote the Thai tourism industry.
A constant stream of complaints made via honorary consuls, Tourist Police, national ambassadors and through social media, with videos posted on YouTube, has raised international awareness of the jet-ski issue.
Khun Arnupap said that checks would be made to ensure insurance applied to all jet-skis. Jet-ski rental shops must have certified supervisors with first-aid training in the service area at all times, according to the announcement.
However, with new rules issued by the National Council for Peace and Order, jet-ski operators are not permitted to operate on Phuket beaches and have to remain in the water.
It is believed that Patong beach vendors, barred from opening stalls on the sand, complained that the jet-skis, also a commercial venture, were parking on the beaches.
Some expat residents have been calling for the jet-skis to be banned from Phuket entirely. At one stage, a governor attempted to phase them out over a period of seven years.
Khun Arnupap said said: ''We're encouraging jet-ski business operators in Thailand to recognise the need and importance of these standards and promptly move to improve their quality of service, staff skills and business ethics in order to meet these standards.''
Phuket's Marine 5 Chief, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, said today that Marine 5 remained in control of Phuket's jet-skis and the new controls came as news to him.
I think most folk would be more than happy to see them gone. They are more dangerous than motorbikes in the wrong hands. You should need a license to hire or ride one.
No more compromise to these people. Give them 1 inch & they take an expanded mile!
Posted by Logic on August 2, 2014 10:40