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Jet-Ski Battleground: Luxury Island Resort
By Prasit Tarnsirisin Saturday, June 13, 2015
PHUKET: The introduction of jet-skis to Koh Naka, now a luxury destination off Phuket, is causing ructions between hirers and the management of a five-star plus resort.
''You've been encroaching on public land,'' say the jet-ski operators, a claim that the operators of the long-winded The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, are quick to deny.
''You are intimidating our staff and annoying quality visitors with your noisy machines and driving too fast through swimming areas,'' says the management. The jet-ski operators are not so quick to deny that.
Tourists complained to the resort so the resort complained to Phuket's Damrungtam office and yesterday, a party of officials arrived on Naka island to investigate.
Twelve jet-skis are a relatively recent addition to the island's attractions, authorised by Phuket Marine 5 director Phuriphat Theerakulpisut.
The logic for the approval seems lost in the light of the resort's unhappiness. It was probably at the suggestion of the jet-ski operators.
According to Phang Nga Marine Office, a subset of the Phuket branch, the jet-ski operators have frequently been fined 5000 baht or 10,000 baht for breaking rules and regulations in the past and show no sign of conforming.
The lack of appreciation of jet-ski noise and pollution is mirrored on Phuket where, with the backing of Khun Phuripat, scores of jet-ski operators now control about half of Phuket's prime swimming beach, Patong. The effect is that tourists are turning off.
Just a few years ago, jet-skis were due to be phased out on Phuket. They are banned in the neighboring provinces of Krabi and Phang Nga.
Something went wrong. Instead of disappearing gradually, jet-ski numbers have grown.
On Naka yesterday, it was left to Phuket Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak to try to settle the discord.
The island, with no zoning for the machines, clearly needed controls, the vice governor said. He declared that jet-skis in future needed to operate 1.5 kilometres from the beach. Marine 5 will set up zoning, the vice governor said.
The jet-ski operators remain unhappy. The resort management remains less than delighted. The issue is expected to be raised again sometime soon.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Simple thing there isn't specific regulation whatsoever in regard of jet-ski in any aspect of their operations.
On top there is no regulation on swimming area and beach management.
Marine Office 5 normally shoukd have to introduce it for a particular area.
But they do zero and nothing , anyone can guess why.
Take European regulation on swimming areas and jet-ski, Copy-Paste and adjust for the area, and you're done.
But yes, this would mean a lot of changes..
Posted by
Sue
on
June 13, 2015 18:29
such sincere revealations, exactly what I described above:
"Vice Governor Somkiet stepped in to point out that as long as the jet-ski operators were not entering the resort, they were free to use the public beach to source clients.
???We would like everyone to calm down and think about how we can work together and conduct business without interfering with others,????? V/Gov Somkiet said.
Mr Bophit , the registrar of Marine Offuce 5, promised the resort that the Marine Office would start working on a zoning plan for jet-skis and swimmers.
???There is no law preventing the jet-skis from going as fast as the rider wants. However, I am eager to see the zoning set in place soon in order to protect tourists.?????
Posted by
Sue
on
June 13, 2015 18:39
The jet-ski are the downfall of Phuket and the authorities make on and on.
See nothing, hear nothing and take a lot of money.
Posted by
steve
on
June 13, 2015 19:12
Good action from the Vice Governor!. Stay away 1.500 meter from the beach! Great. That is safety first!
Posted by
phuketgreed
on
June 13, 2015 20:36
"Good action from the Vice Governor!. Stay away 1.500 meter from the beach! Great. That is safety first!"
maybe it was advice to those of planning to go to the water front.
Posted by
mike
on
June 13, 2015 22:08
Until Phuket get rid of jet skis and the attached corruption by everybody, nothing will ever change 1million percent, always Remember Thailand is is all about the money it's one of the saddest country's I've been to
Posted by
Johnboy
on
June 13, 2015 23:35
There should be no compramise whatsover here, no jet ski's that simple. I trust the authorities do allow otherwise once in you will not get them out the Army !
Obviously big noises are involved along with big money
Posted by
LES
on
June 13, 2015 23:55
Thank you Phuket Wan for all the coverage over the years about the nasty jet ski business but surely you must like the rest of us be getting bored of the governments lack of control? It seems like it never ends, most expats believe the jet ski owners must be some really powerful company that the police are even fearful to touch.
Posted by
Syd
on
June 14, 2015 00:48
1.500 m good in theory. In practice? Will be a joke. Only with ponton out there and boat transfer to this ponton it sounds credible.
Posted by
Lena
on
June 14, 2015 02:28
I just wonder, with all the negative reports about jet-skis being dangerous, a rip off, crazy expensive and so on, WHO is actually stupid enough to even consider renting one? If there were no customers the jet ski problem would go away by itself. Who are these people, the renters?
Posted by
christian
on
June 14, 2015 06:32
Editor Comment:
The touts are quick to sell newcomers on the experience. Word only reaches those on the Internet who do their research.
Don't forget to send the body bags to Koh Naka along with the Jet Skis.
Posted by
pktbeachgoer
on
June 14, 2015 07:45
Why do some congratulate the vice governor, so far, he has done nothing, except surrender more beach. Those who thought the military would make any change must surely be shaking their heads. Too many officials, from the governor down are doing nothing to fix problems, except to proclaim all is good.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
June 14, 2015 12:36
Jet ski users are a problem through out the world but a particular nuisance and turn off to tourists seeking the quiet bliss of beautiful Thailand. Please get rid of them. If I find jet skis are offered at a resort I book elsewhere.
Posted by
Rodofoz (australia)
on
June 14, 2015 13:55
But Laurie,
The jet ski issues are all fixed now. They must be, I saw the article!
Posted by
Nearly Sue
on
June 14, 2015 15:17
Seems like the same discussions over and over...
This is my third year in a row that i will be holidaying else where other than Thailand, simply because they really can not comprehend right and wrong when it comes to logic.
Jet ski's in the right hands are ok, jet ski's in Thai hands that are all about profit is never ever going to be good for Thai Tourism.
All i know is i am going to spend my + familys hard earned money in a place that wants quality Tourist's, because they care enough to read and listen to people on both sides and come to a rational decision on whats going to be right for the long term well being of eco + tourism.
Posted by
ohno
on
June 14, 2015 15:47
Phuket policy in regard of tourist opinions and complaints is a simple case of mind over matter.
We don't mind and you don't matter.
Posted by
Herbert
on
June 14, 2015 16:49
(moderated)
Posted by
Paul
on
June 14, 2015 17:09
Editor Comment:
All accusations must be accompanied by evidence.
It was most certainly not an accusation editor, it was a question.
Posted by
Paul
on
June 14, 2015 17:31
Editor Comment:
Insinuation, Paul. Those kinds of questions are risky - for us, not you. Provide evidence, please.
@Nearly Sue, I to saw that it has been "fixed" along with many other issues, the problem is, and it may be due to my old age, is that I fail to see, many "positive" changes, some things in fact have become fascicle.. eg, the Patong beach zoning, both jet ski/parasailing and the 10% umbrella zones. Like I said, must be my senile old age.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
June 14, 2015 18:40
Christian's comment makes good sense but it may take yet another bad accident or death before anything changes. I'll never recommend it to anyone, for sure. Keep pushing!
Posted by
Sue Yu
on
June 14, 2015 18:53
Laurie,
I agree, it is difficult to see an improvement in any of the major issues which authorities have attempted a remedy. There have certainly been changes but in most cases this has just created more confusion.
There appears to be an attitude where once you make an announcement of the intention to address an issue, the issue is then deemed to be solved.
In the 10 or so years I have been visiting Phuket the place has certainly changed from an enjoyable place to spend a few weeks to a convenient place to spend a day or so after arriving or prior to departure.
I believe Steven L in a previous article suggested this was becoming the normal for many of his short stay customers prior to heading off to other locations.
Posted by
Almost Sue
on
June 14, 2015 20:41
@christian, people belonging to the will-not-happen-to-me fraction do. Like the ones who rent motorbikes and drive without helmet on Phuket. Or who drink and drive. Go snorkeling without knowledge how to swim. So people up for a hefty stupid tax. Prey.
Posted by
Lena
on
June 15, 2015 00:02
As a boater in that area I was surprised to see some jet skis the other day off Naka, years ago I was led to believe that under Marine Police rules they were only legal ( commercially not private use) on the 5 main west coast beaches. It is a relatively busy waterway and these untrained renters are a new hazard. There are several unmarked reefs very close nearby, exposed only at low tide, I feel there is just another serious accident about to happen and Thai government officials will blame everyone else but themselves, the ski owners disappearing quickly as usual to avert blame.
Posted by
G
on
June 15, 2015 22:49
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Simple thing there isn't specific regulation whatsoever in regard of jet-ski in any aspect of their operations.
On top there is no regulation on swimming area and beach management.
Marine Office 5 normally shoukd have to introduce it for a particular area.
But they do zero and nothing , anyone can guess why.
Take European regulation on swimming areas and jet-ski, Copy-Paste and adjust for the area, and you're done.
But yes, this would mean a lot of changes..
Posted by Sue on June 13, 2015 18:29