PHUKET: Tourists involved in jet-ski crashes at Phuket's Patong beach no longer have to pay any extra money whatsoever, Phuket honorary consuls were told yesterday.

The assurance came from Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5, in response to questions from Australian honorary consul Larry Cunningham and British honorary consul Martin Carpenter.

Before yesterday's meeting, Phuketwan contacted Patong police volunteers who confirmed that an average of two disputes occur at Patong each week as tourists and jet-ski operators dispute claims for extra cash for damages.

At the resumed regular meeting between Phuket honorary consuls and island officials, Mr Cunningham asked: Can Khun Phuripat confirm that all the jet-skis now have insurance?

Khun Phuripat: Yes I confirm that the the jet-skis now number 286, with 251 registered. Everyone has insurance.

Mr Cunningham: So if everyone has insurance, the maximum amount payable by anyone who hires a jet-ski and has a problem with a jet-ski is 16,000 baht? Can you confirm that any claim for jet-ski damage on a tourist, the maximum amount the tourist will have to pay is 16,000 baht?

There was some confusion. Khun Phuripat may have thought Mr Cunningham was talking about the maximum amount available for an insurance payout, which is 50,000 baht for an injury.

Mr Cunningham: How much will a tourist have to pay if they damage a jet-ski?

Khun Phuripat: After we solved this problem, now always before they rent a jet-ski they have to make a contract first. If a jet-ski has any damage, the tourist has nothing to pay.

Mr Cunningham said he, the Norwegian and Danish honorary consuls had seen a contract that specified tourists should pay 1000 baht for processing, then 3000 baht a day for each of the five days a damaged jet-ski might be out of action.

Mr Cunningham: So the tourist has to pay nothing?

Khun Phuripat: Correct, Sir.

Mr Carpenter: I'd like to thank the Chief of the Marine Department for his confirmation. If it's possible could the Governor organise to have that last comment gazetted into the Thai newspapers and the foreign newspapers, that under no circumstances should a foreigner have to pay for any damage to a jet-ski in the future on Phuket?

Khun Phuripat: I will send your suggestion to the Thai newspapers and the foreign newspapers on Phuket.

Mr Carpenter: If you do that, I am sure many of the newspapers would have that as front page headlines and it would travel the whole world.

A recent report from Pattaya suggests a different approach is being taken there to jet-ski disputes.

After lengthy talks recently, a committee looking at the issue released a summary of proposed new rules for jet-ski operators:

1. The need to set up a central service point for rentals at Pattaya beach, Jomtien beach and Koh Lan, for the convenience and safety of customers.

2. Set a standard service price for jet-ski rentals, including the insurance price for accidents in the pricing of tickets.

3. The service time for rentals will not go past 6pm daily.

4. Provide notice to operators of the exact punishment for violations, ranging from a soft punishment of arrests and fines, to terminating the business.

In cases of severe violations, such as beating tourists or extorting money, the harshest punishment of terminating the business will be immediately enforced.

After the Chonburi provincial governor gives his signature to the proposed rules, all of the jet-ski operators in Pattaya will be notified, and required to acknowledge and adopt the new rules immediately.