PHUKET: Jet-ski tourist assistance centres are being set up in Pattaya to deal with scamming of tourists, says a media release from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
News of the establishment of the centres in Pattaya comes with jet-skis and parasail speedboats now in control of large sections of Patong beach, once the premium swimming beach on Phuket.
The Pattaya centre has been established by Chonburi province in cooperation with the Pattaya Marine Department and Pattaya City.
''According to the announcement of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for zoning, Jet-ski operators have to apply the Non-Compulsory Insurance System of the Marine Department and put a sticker on each jet-ski to specify its area, zoning and number at the front area of each jet-ski,'' the TAT media release says.
''Registered jet-skis can be operated in Pattaya City (Pattaya Beach), Wongamart, Nachomtien and Koh Lan (Coral Island). The insurance will cover the loss, damage or expenses which may occur during the ride.''
Partial insurance has proven ineffective in stopping scams on Phuket, although the number of scams does appear to have been reduced.
Usually on Phuket, operators seek that tourists involved in crashes pay an additional ''time out of the water'' fee based on five days at 3000 baht a day. Tourists who have paid the fee frequently see the jet-ski back in the water the next day.
Initially, excessive claims are usually made by the jet-ski operators on the beach and some tourists have been intimidated into paying claims that are double or three times the legitimate cost of repairs.
Clearing of all other commerce from Patong and other west coast beaches has proven to be a golden opportunity for jet-ski operators and speedboat parasails to expand their businesses, without being barred from public space as the other beach enterprises have been.
About a decade ago, following a spate of deaths and injuries, a Phuket governor organised to phase out all jet-skis on Phuket over seven years.
His successors failed to perform the task and there are now more jet-skis operating on Phuket than ever, with fewer restrictions.
With space now allocated for them on Patong's sand, touts are able to easily find customers for rides.
In Pattaya, Jetski Tourist Assistance Centres are located on Pattaya Beach (Pattaya Soi 9), Jomtien Beach (in front of Surf restaurant) and Koh Lan (Coral Island). The centres are open every day from 9am to 6pm.
For more information, contact Pattaya Call Centre 1337. Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office Tel. 038 423 990 / 038 427 667 E: tatchon@tat.or.th
News of the establishment of the centres in Pattaya comes with jet-skis and parasail speedboats now in control of large sections of Patong beach, once the premium swimming beach on Phuket.
The Pattaya centre has been established by Chonburi province in cooperation with the Pattaya Marine Department and Pattaya City.
''According to the announcement of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for zoning, Jet-ski operators have to apply the Non-Compulsory Insurance System of the Marine Department and put a sticker on each jet-ski to specify its area, zoning and number at the front area of each jet-ski,'' the TAT media release says.
''Registered jet-skis can be operated in Pattaya City (Pattaya Beach), Wongamart, Nachomtien and Koh Lan (Coral Island). The insurance will cover the loss, damage or expenses which may occur during the ride.''
Partial insurance has proven ineffective in stopping scams on Phuket, although the number of scams does appear to have been reduced.
Usually on Phuket, operators seek that tourists involved in crashes pay an additional ''time out of the water'' fee based on five days at 3000 baht a day. Tourists who have paid the fee frequently see the jet-ski back in the water the next day.
Initially, excessive claims are usually made by the jet-ski operators on the beach and some tourists have been intimidated into paying claims that are double or three times the legitimate cost of repairs.
Clearing of all other commerce from Patong and other west coast beaches has proven to be a golden opportunity for jet-ski operators and speedboat parasails to expand their businesses, without being barred from public space as the other beach enterprises have been.
About a decade ago, following a spate of deaths and injuries, a Phuket governor organised to phase out all jet-skis on Phuket over seven years.
His successors failed to perform the task and there are now more jet-skis operating on Phuket than ever, with fewer restrictions.
With space now allocated for them on Patong's sand, touts are able to easily find customers for rides.
In Pattaya, Jetski Tourist Assistance Centres are located on Pattaya Beach (Pattaya Soi 9), Jomtien Beach (in front of Surf restaurant) and Koh Lan (Coral Island). The centres are open every day from 9am to 6pm.
For more information, contact Pattaya Call Centre 1337. Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office Tel. 038 423 990 / 038 427 667 E: tatchon@tat.or.th
I am vety much interested in the mentioned Ministry's regulation:
does it indeed address issue of the use of jet-ski for commercial hire - and whether country-wide,or locally for Pattaya?
I am curious what is the exact text of regulation,as generally such issues are within realm of Marine Office5,that is under different ministry -Transport Ministry.
Then anyway several issues are left unresolved :
- jet-ski habitually registered and licensrd not as commercial vessels as it should be;
- requirement for a captain license for anyone who drive the jetski(and recognition of foreign issued ones)- that makes every tourist who drives a jet-ski offender;
- some standard rules on an agreement between a consumer and a rent operator of jetski - there are such rules for e.G. gyms.condominiums etc.,under Consumer Protection Act,that are usually invoked by the Cabinet - there is a dire need to have such minimum rules for jetski hire.
Ministry of Environment probably just regulated zoning where jet-ski in Pattaya can be put on,within a kind of construction and related zoning, and may be inserted some clauses about apparatus itself for a sake of quality environment,not sure whether it is enforceable if MO5 is responsible for invoking such rules.
Posted by Sue on November 4, 2015 16:08