Wow, jet-ski scams, who would have known! Why not set up a committee and study the alleged problem and report back in, oh say 5-10 years and then think about it.

Posted by Hartmut on April 21, 2012 10:09

The registration of new machines was banned by the Phuket Governor at the time, about 12 years ago; the idea being that they'd slowly disappear. If someone had the balls to get rid of the bloody things, the problem would simply go away.

Posted by agogohome on April 21, 2012 10:21

2 days ago i could see a disput at the loma beach (patong) between jet ski boys and some tourists. they pay. tired of this mafia story...nothing changes...

Posted by mike on April 21, 2012 11:09

It will be interesting to see if the new breed of tourists puts up with all the scams that have been inflicted on West European & Australian (apologies to others excluded) tourists for many years without resolution.

It is revealing that it is an Indian web site hightlighting this old problem. Asians (& of course Russians) will become the major players in Thai tourism in the foreseeable future. If they start to hammer the 'old chestnut' topics, it will be interesting to see if they can provoke better responses from the authorities.

As Mike states below, "nothing changes", at least for us 'westerners', but we are history & Asian & Russian tourists are the future.

Posted by Logic on April 21, 2012 14:36

Phuketwan is not able to verify the contention that knives are flashed, but there are video clips on the net with JJ a jet ski operator in Patong flashing a gun instead !

Posted by Werner on April 21, 2012 19:15

Seriously if the Thai government was concerned they would do something about it. biggest joke in Phuket alongside Tuk Tuk concerns.

Posted by Dave on April 21, 2012 22:48

Just too damn dodgy. Who wants to spend their vacation dodging scams at every turn?

Posted by titima on April 22, 2012 04:57

Dam typical these scams will never cease there is just too much money to be made, Tourists please i beg you don't ride these dam things I have travelled to thailand 10 times in 7 years and it is getting worse,the govenor should just say no more and the police should check these operators fpr a licence insurance (what a damm joke)will never happen. Its about time that govts around the world put out warnings to travellers or mindful airlines should announce these things onboard prior to landing in Phuket, it will save many sorry tourists. I just wonder do they really care about these tourists,Thailand should take note that these people are chasing away imtending tourists and they will talk in their own countries. Please officials take note escpecially the honourary ambassadors do something concrete before more people you have a responsibilty to your countrymen.

Posted by Alex on April 27, 2012 23:31

Hey Harmut
Its so so pointless to set a committee,waste of time and money, just ban all of the operators as this is just the tip of the iceberg for scams the next best is the motorcycle rentals, please dont get me started, Thailand is great to visit as long as there are no complications.

Posted by Alex on April 29, 2012 13:20

Really, if people are missing the deluge of warnings concerning this, let em pay. I assume the scammed money is staying in Thailand, so what's the problem. I love reading phuketwan, but the expats here really do whine and bang on about this too much... So a rare comment from me.

Posted by Phil on May 7, 2012 18:59

@Phil, they, like me, deep down inside probably hope someone in authority, or maybe the honorary consuls, will read these comments and do something about the problems, making Phuket an even more attractive and safer place to be or visit. As for tourists missing the "deluge" of warnings, just how many people check their destination for scams, rip offs, dangerous security at night clubs or the level of corruption before they level on their holiday, I certainly didn't, and no one I know does, did you, all they want is a happy, fun safe holiday and just where would they see this "deluge" of warnings, certainly not from their travel agents, many would not "surf" the internet looking for possible problems and I dare guess, once in Phuket no one mentions scams,rip offs etc, or maybe you would expect them to ask a taxi or tuk tuk driver, if there are any scams, rip offs etc. lol
As for "but the expats here really do whine and bang on about this too much", by making a comment here, you are one whinger, in fact, you have added absolutely NOTHING.

Posted by Laurie Howells on May 7, 2012 21:07

Editor: Your response suggestion someone should go down there and take some photos shows that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. You go down there and photograph the action and see how long you live.

Posted by Nat on June 19, 2012 06:33

Editor, you are not psychic, I have photographed a number of scams and have been threatened with death. Therefore I will not do it again. Shame on you for telling someone to put their life in danger.

Posted by Nat on June 19, 2012 07:40

today 27 april 2013, I see another jet ski scam in pattaya.

Posted by jakapan on April 27, 2013 14:22

they have been talking about these scams now for 5 years result nothing.perhaps they should institute same as US where can sue for millions for damages?i hear now latest targets are russians big mistake, i lived in bulgaria for a few years where russian mafia operates i can tell you this upset them and you will find these scammers floating in bay with bullet in head perhaps it neads something like this to wake up authorities here ?

Posted by david on May 3, 2013 10:47