PHUKET: Two Danish tourists established at the weekend that attempts at jet-ski scams continue on Phuket despite claims that an insurance scheme has brought all problems to an end.
Danish honorary consul Kennerth Karlsson, called in to help negotiate on Sunday, said that the two Danes had their passports confiscated and faced a demand from the jet-ski operators for an initial 150,000 baht in damages.
Eventual settlement of the claim for a total of 32,000 baht after a mediation session at Patong's Kathu Police Station was ''good but not perfect,'' he said.
The deal replicated another recent dispute at Karon - except that in the Patong dispute at the weekend, police seized the passports of the two Danes to make sure they did not flee before a settlement was reached.
After Mr Karlsson became involved on Sunday, he produced a letter from former Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong. The letter acknowleged that police only have the right to confiscate passports from visitors in cases where violence or a crime involving drugs is alleged.
Police in Patong on Sunday acknowledged the letter and returned the passports immediately. Mediating the settlement over the jet-ski damage took a little longer.
Mr Karlsson said that one of the people involved - the jet-ski owner and two operators were present - kept up a barrage of abuse and threats of violence of a kind that had begun on the beach when the damage was done.
''He was very, very angry,'' Mr Karlsson said. ''The Danes acknowledged that only one jet-ski was damaged but in the end paid 32,000 baht for damage to two to settle the matter.''
The total sum was to cover the cost of having two jet-skis out of action for possibly as many as five days at 3000 baht a day, with another 1000 baht for each jet-ski for paperwork.
The actual damage to the one jet-ski was ''minimal'' and well under the 50,000 baht covered by the universal insurance scheme for all Phuket jet-skis, Mr Karlsson said.
Tourists visiting Phuket are advised to note that even a small amount of damage to a jet-ski can trigger an incident in which threats and intimidation are liberally applied.
It was a similar situation on Karon beach recently when Russian tourists, while acknowledging liability, found themselves being asked for a large amount of money out of proportion to the damage.
Has the insurance scheme solved the jet-ski issue, as Phuket's honorary consuls were told at their last meeting in February?
No. Insurance only covers small amounts of damage - and jet-ski operators, it seems, are in some cases quick to exaggerate the compensation figure in the hope of making a hefty profit on the tourist's misfortune.
If two cases of attempted scams have come to the attention of Phuketwan within weeks, it's likely many more are taking place covertly on Phuket's beaches, insurance scheme or not.
The authorities involved say they never hear of these cases: perhaps it's time honorary consuls made sure those responsible are aware of what's going on - especially Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
More serious questioning about the jet-ski scams should come at the next honorary consuls' meeting, if not earlier.
The two Danes are still in Thailand but decided to leave Phuket immediately after being threatened some more by one of the jet-ski operators.
Danish honorary consul Kennerth Karlsson, called in to help negotiate on Sunday, said that the two Danes had their passports confiscated and faced a demand from the jet-ski operators for an initial 150,000 baht in damages.
Eventual settlement of the claim for a total of 32,000 baht after a mediation session at Patong's Kathu Police Station was ''good but not perfect,'' he said.
The deal replicated another recent dispute at Karon - except that in the Patong dispute at the weekend, police seized the passports of the two Danes to make sure they did not flee before a settlement was reached.
After Mr Karlsson became involved on Sunday, he produced a letter from former Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong. The letter acknowleged that police only have the right to confiscate passports from visitors in cases where violence or a crime involving drugs is alleged.
Police in Patong on Sunday acknowledged the letter and returned the passports immediately. Mediating the settlement over the jet-ski damage took a little longer.
Mr Karlsson said that one of the people involved - the jet-ski owner and two operators were present - kept up a barrage of abuse and threats of violence of a kind that had begun on the beach when the damage was done.
''He was very, very angry,'' Mr Karlsson said. ''The Danes acknowledged that only one jet-ski was damaged but in the end paid 32,000 baht for damage to two to settle the matter.''
The total sum was to cover the cost of having two jet-skis out of action for possibly as many as five days at 3000 baht a day, with another 1000 baht for each jet-ski for paperwork.
The actual damage to the one jet-ski was ''minimal'' and well under the 50,000 baht covered by the universal insurance scheme for all Phuket jet-skis, Mr Karlsson said.
Tourists visiting Phuket are advised to note that even a small amount of damage to a jet-ski can trigger an incident in which threats and intimidation are liberally applied.
It was a similar situation on Karon beach recently when Russian tourists, while acknowledging liability, found themselves being asked for a large amount of money out of proportion to the damage.
Has the insurance scheme solved the jet-ski issue, as Phuket's honorary consuls were told at their last meeting in February?
No. Insurance only covers small amounts of damage - and jet-ski operators, it seems, are in some cases quick to exaggerate the compensation figure in the hope of making a hefty profit on the tourist's misfortune.
If two cases of attempted scams have come to the attention of Phuketwan within weeks, it's likely many more are taking place covertly on Phuket's beaches, insurance scheme or not.
The authorities involved say they never hear of these cases: perhaps it's time honorary consuls made sure those responsible are aware of what's going on - especially Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
More serious questioning about the jet-ski scams should come at the next honorary consuls' meeting, if not earlier.
The two Danes are still in Thailand but decided to leave Phuket immediately after being threatened some more by one of the jet-ski operators.
I'm amazed that some of these jetskis are still afloat after all the 'damage' they have sustained over the years! Maybe the manufacturers should make a promotional video on Phuket extolling their virtues!!
Posted by Mister Ree on April 2, 2012 21:56