While I was out surfing today I watched one of two tourists who was tearing around at top speed , suddenly hit a wake from his mates ski and he flew off, and hit the water quite hard. The ski turned off immediately but it left me wondering how long it will be before someone dies from a jet ski related accident and what will they do if and when it happens. Sadly the if and when has happened now we wait to see what action is taken. There must be an exclusion zone. We kept yelling and pointing for these two guys to go further out into unbroken water away from people , but they just would not listen.

Posted by carvets on November 3, 2014 19:41

Lets not forget having the towing jeep driving on top of tourists sunny them selves on the beach. Tourist speed bumps we are not.

Posted by rdb on November 3, 2014 19:57

Once again, no lifewest.

Posted by Retired Roadworker on November 3, 2014 20:05

"First reports say the man tried to crash through a wave using the jet-ski, fell and was struck by the tumbling machine, and later died in a Phuket hospital."
WROOOOOOOOOOOONG
The Russian did not have a boat driving license.
By the law, all jet-ski drivers must have a valid boat driving licence, but this is not the case with all tourists renting jet-skis.
Therefore jet-ski operators should bear the full responsibility to rent jet-skis to non-certified boat driving customers and all boat insurance companies should put the pressure on jet-ski operators to refuse to cover boat accidents in these cases.
So the jet-ski operator should have its license revoked.
FULL STOP.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on November 3, 2014 21:07

Governor, Mayors, Marine office

BAN THEM !!!

BAN THEM !!!

BAN THEM !!!

With the greatest respect - you must surely be able to see the damage they cause. This is more than enough - you must be able to see this !!!

Posted by Amazing Thailand on November 3, 2014 21:08

R.I.P. For the Russian Tourist. No One should be allowed in a Jet Ski without being able to show a valid boat permit in many European countries already obliged since the Eighties. I got mine already since this period. This time it is the user himself wo dies. It is just waiting till innocent swimmers becomes the victim. In such a case the authorising authorities "Marine Office 5 chief" should be hold, also, responsible and liable. The same should occur with renting out motor-bikes to people without Valid drivers licence. Both insane situations. Liability should be introduced.

Posted by phuketgreed on November 3, 2014 21:10

I still believe the Jet-ski's are protected by the powers that be and even this tragedy isn't enough to get them banned outright.

Posted by Tbs on November 3, 2014 21:27

How many more death casualties are required the authorities realize to ban them forever !

Posted by Werni on November 3, 2014 21:45

The Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, called it ''an accident''
Shame on you. Get rid of these dangers now before another life is lost. What will you say then oh another accident?

Posted by Josh on November 3, 2014 22:29

"If Thailand's government is really concerned about tourist safety, it will ban jet-skis."

They are concerned about less tourists coming to Thailand this high season, and will even make it safer for tourists if tourism numbers keep slipping.

signed,

The motivating factor

Posted by farang888 on November 3, 2014 22:31

High season has begun in earnest, and in Thailand too.

Posted by farang888 on November 3, 2014 22:47

Unfortunately just another indicator that profits come before safety. Those who should be shouldering responsibility just shrug their shoulders and say 'accident'- it's pathetic.
Rosy predictions and head in the sand lack of action will not prevent more tourists dying in the sea and on the roads as we move into high season - those with the power to change things couldn't give a toss.

No way should any jetskis been at sea today - K Nutcha's excuses are flimsy as well.

Posted by Mister Ree on November 3, 2014 22:50

Good to see PW campaigning like this. Its a shame your competitors haven't got the same b****!
Its also a shame, and disgrace that Marine 5 continues to ignore reality.

Posted by jimbo34 on November 3, 2014 23:28

It is not only people that a driving toward their death with the jetskis.
Also the whole tourist market of Phuket is driving toward its death with the new regulations that are prohibiting sunbeds and umbrellas but allows jetskis and parachute speedboats to run wild all over Phuket beaches.

Two accidents in less than a week: one tourist hit by a jetski truck when relaxing on the beach and another killed when renting a jetski.

This will probably not be the only accidents since the Phuket beaches are now turning from being relaxed sun & swimming beaches to being dangerous hazard-zones ruled by jetski and parasailing gangster gangs.

Phuket beaches for quality tourists? Forget it!

Posted by PhuketFriendly on November 4, 2014 00:53

Please remember, the jetski operators already gave the ultimatum, ban us and we will become crimanals.

I don't think banning them all is the right thing, maybe encouraging the operators who have a good track recorded of non extortion rates from bogus damage be allowed to operate under regulated conditions.

The percentage of people who have died from jetski related accidents are so rare and scare compared to say tourist riding there scootes, swimming, drinking,balconys ect ect, as I said under controlled conditions with the right people in charge there is no reason why they can't co habitat.

I am an avid surfer, and I have surfed at kata for many years, there are more dangers of a surfer taking a swimmers head of(so many newbies who spear the board when they fall of) or surfers injuring other surfers, yes the pollution is still a problem, but nothing compared to the illegal hotels who keep dumping there waste into the sea

Posted by ohno on November 4, 2014 03:27

The loss of live is always very regrettable. Condolences to the family. Adults must however also take responsibility for their own actions and not take unnecessary risks. Especially if not have the proper experience. Riding a jetski in surf conditions takes an experienced rider, not a novice. Proper controls over the riders abilities should alleviate stupid accidents. Also ensure no alcohol or no ride. On a different tack, no tourists are reported killed by sunbeds and umbrellas.

Posted by Paul on November 4, 2014 03:33

You have to ask the question "WHY ARE JET SKI's ALLOWED TO OPERATE WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BEACHES" ????

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work it out, do you!

BAN THEM, REMOVE THEM FROM ALL PHUKET BEACHES

Posted by DG on November 4, 2014 03:46

@ohno "the operators who have a good track recorded of non extortion rates from bogus damage be allowed to operate under regulated conditions"?

That's all of them then, as there is no such record.

Posted by phonus on November 4, 2014 07:17

gravatar

The Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, called it ''an accident''

Shame on you. Get rid of these dangers now before another life is lost. What will you say then, oh another accident?

Posted by stu on November 4, 2014 07:22

so whats it going to take...kids getting killed next?

Posted by sky on November 4, 2014 07:28

It is the same with motor cycle rentals - tourists simply should not be allowed to rent without a proper motor cycle license. Phuket puts money ahead of tourist safety at every turn.

Posted by Logic on November 4, 2014 07:50

It's sad, it must happen a lot more, until something is done. Since the military, nothing has changed, only the sunbeds go away (the great danger). Wait until after the Asia beach games, then also come back. Greed destroys Phuket and the military not interrested also.

Posted by steve on November 4, 2014 08:07

@Phonus
That's all of them then, as there is no such record.

So you know for a fact that no one has taken down accident reports/disputes in the past or are you just guessing?

Yes i know a lot don't make it to the courts because of the police involvement, but to say 100 % of them are in to extortion without any proof is well....

They are here to stay wether you like it or not, that being the case maybe some incentives for the groups who don't make claims against tourist for X amount of months get's part of there insurance for the jetski's paid for seeing as $$$ is the only thing Thai workers really respond to.

Posted by ohno on November 4, 2014 08:38

Irregardless of whether or not a person thinks jet-skis should be allowed on Phuket beaches or not, I think most people could agree that no small craft should have been allowed to be hired out from the western facing beaches yesterday. With the combination of large swell, onshore winds, and inexperienced riders, it was an accident waiting to happen.

Posted by concerned in karon on November 4, 2014 08:54

I don't understand why so many people still believe there is a change coming for the better. ( including the editor here ). I am living here now for over 25 years, because of work, and the only changes that i have seen are not for the better. More traffic, no public transport. No respect for the law. Driving skills still under par ( Thai plus the occasional foreigner who thinks imitating Thais is cool ). More recently, there has been a great example of window dressing, by taking away the sun beds, and umbrella's. And at the same time, the army proved it's weakness by allowing the jet skies and parasailers to continue. Change in Thailand? Yeah, but not in this century.

Posted by carl on November 4, 2014 09:08

DG wrote ""WHY ARE JET SKI's ALLOWED TO OPERATE WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BEACHES" ???? and he's right, we should ask to the Phuket Marine 5 office chief, he knows why.

Posted by jean-paul patrick on November 4, 2014 09:37

yes jet skis should be banned.if not breathalizers should be administered before rental.i've seen drunks allowed to rent skis when walking was difficult.

Posted by Anonymous on November 4, 2014 09:58

@ohno

I know for a fact that there is no record of extortion by jet ski operators. Your half-assed "reward" plan is completely unworkable and a non-starter.

Posted by phonus on November 4, 2014 10:28

Caution when jet-ski banned. IT TAKES a lot more police in Patong. Because it will increase greatly the drug deal, theft and robbery.

Posted by steve on November 4, 2014 10:32

Not just ignoring swimmers in the water, the operators drive their vehicles on the beach, with scant regard for tourists lying on the beach, only MONEY on their minds. BAN THE THUGS

Posted by Anonymous on November 4, 2014 10:57

@Phonous I know for a fact that there is no record of extortion by jet ski operators

So you work at the embassy? proof?

Pfft People like you are the reason nothing gets done, be a negative nancy, obviously that fits you well.

I made 1 suggestion out of many as an example in trying to make things more balanced that everyone gets what they want, all you did is be a doomsdayer.

well played sir.

Posted by ohno on November 4, 2014 12:53

Interesting to see you describe someone else as a "Doomsayer", Ed., having just written " deaths and injuries are certain to increase. Every fatality will speed Phuket's own suicide. Lose the dolphin as the image for Patong: the skull and crossbones are more suitable." I, like your correspondent have lived here for many years. I am not a Doomsayer but a realist basing my opinion on experience. My opinion is that this place is rotten to the core, and it's way past the time when it was saveable. A realistic summsry is that there is only one thing that keeps people coming here, and that is euphemistically described as "hedonism". If anyone doubts that, do a headcount of the number of tourists in Patong after dark compared with the number in the rest of Phuket.

Posted by chrisg on November 4, 2014 13:22

@ ohno.

I did not say "100% are in to extortion" as you suggest. I said there is no record.

I have connections with the main phuket consular officials.

No jet ski operator has ever been prosecuted for extortion. All claims have been settled by negotiation at various levels, and no charges pressed. Therefore there is no official record, at least with the local authorities.

Your suggestion therefore of sorting out the good jet ski operators from the bad ones is risible. Run along.

Posted by phonus on November 4, 2014 13:50

@ohno

Very few incidents of payments as a compensation for alleged damage are reported.
First, people caught in such situation don't know how to react, whether better just pay or complain, if the later tyen to whom and by what means. And there is a zero guidance what to do in such situations both from MFAs and media.

And even if reporting takes a place, mostly aftermath, then it is chaotic, few report it to embassies,some to one or another branch of police, another to a guide, few to their hotel, some to friends, or on social media,some to media and so on.
@phonus is absolutely right that there is no any reliable record - as there is no systematic reporting.
So to distinguish good jet ski orator from bad just on the fact that there the latter was once in the news, is not possible, it can be just omission,

And extortion is just one of the jet-ski related problems, beside their hijacking of the beach and seas , hazards they create in a swimming zone etc.

And YES - surfers should be off swimming zone too, even in green season - your description about hazards created by them is very accurate. I just wonder whether lack of judgement on their part is related to absence of administrative measures in this regard, or just being infected by prevailing "do-not-care" attitude demonstrated not at least by jet-ski operators, or smth.else.

Posted by Sue on November 4, 2014 15:31

Nothing will change, tourists can come to Phuket rent any size of motorbike no license required and quickly kill themselves or if that's not your thrill you can go out by yourself on a jetski in stormy seas and kill yourself, or take a dive boat with no lifejacket again in stormy seas and die, or get totally drunk and with your inexperience drive on your rented motorbike back to you hotel, hey you can even hire a car and drive the car totally drunk. Safety never has been and never will be a priority on Phuket the number of deaths speak for that. You are multiple times more likely to die on the roads here than in any developed country, not just by drunks, many drivers do not even have a license, poorly maintained vehicles, how many motorbikes have no rear light, I see it EVERY night.

Posted by Fiesty Farang on November 4, 2014 16:37

"how many motorbikes have no rear light, I see it EVERY night."

Plenty - and often no front light also - and often driven by 12 year olds - and no penalty. Ansd so it has been for 30 years, and will continue to be

Posted by phonus balonus on November 4, 2014 19:52

Accident more like a incident causing death and I assure you the cause of death wont be listed as death from head injuries being struck by jet ski but as a drowning misadventure, case closed, there are no coroner inquests in Thailand best plausible excuse that effects tourism the least is always the cause found.

Posted by slickmelb on November 5, 2014 19:41

our fearless marine chief says that jet skis are not allowed to operate from surin beach. I guess he forgot to tell the jet ski guys. if he was there today 5th he could have enjoyed to rent a jet ski and maybe run over a few swimmers just for fun. Talk is cheap, so are lives apparently.

Posted by Anonymous on November 5, 2014 22:14

had an interesting talk with a friend currently holidaying in Patong. Says the jet ski's are all along the beach, no roped off areas at all fro jet ski's or swimmers. Parasail operators are bringing customers in to land over the beach and yesterday knocked over a female tourist on the beach.They just run around blowing whistles and expect everyone to get out of their way. Also they were speaking to a massage lady who we have known for many years who would not talk about the problem because "too many people were listening !!". She was too scared to say anything. That says it all. Sad times for Phuket.

Posted by Craig .Gold Coast on November 6, 2014 05:32

Under Thai law All jetski drivers should hold a license applicable for that craft. By renting out the Jetskis to drivers who do not hold the license is Illegal and breaks the Marine Office 5 rules.
Ban them all period and save lives !!

Posted by paul smith on November 6, 2014 11:04

Jet skis can be rented safely to people without a license. It happens all the time. Anyone can rent a jet ski on the Gold Coast and other tourist places like Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Difference is you have an instruction session, you are made to ride in a specific area away from the crowds, and you can not do it near the surf. It is one thing to ride a jet ski on flat water, another to ride over waves, especially when the surf is up. If there is a market for Jet Ski riders, and there must be judging by the numbers that hop on, they need to regulate it to a safe area away from crowds, if that is possible. Of course they could just ban them.

Posted by Davemc60 on November 6, 2014 12:25

Officials explained there position that they will put roping for jet-ski areas not now, but later when l"the seas will be enough calm" .
Then the general safety axiom is to put critical safety measure in place first, and only then to proceed with a core process/activity.
It is jet skis should be unconditional banned to operate when roping is not in place for whatever reason, incl.green season when officials claim it is not to have ropes put.

Officials calling roping as an essential safety feature, and next moment just disregarding the very meaning of it, is either apparently negligent "do-not-care" attitude about safety, or just saying that what they are not believing at all, that roping will bring any extra palpable safety.

Posted by Sue on November 6, 2014 12:34