PHUKET: The problem of jet-ski disputes between operators and tourists had been solved, Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5, told a meeting of the island's honorary consuls yesterday.
He said that Phuket's jet-skis were now all insured, so there was no longer a need for tourists and operators to negotiate the cost of damages when crashes occurred.
Australian honorary consul Larry Cunningham made the point that there were times when the jet-skis that were taken out had already been damaged, and that one group of Australians handed over money last year after being ''surrounded, pushed and shoved'' by as many as 20 jet-ski operators.
''They were so scared they handed over the money,'' he said.
Still unresolved, said British honorary consul Martin Carpenter, was the problem of jet-skis operating at beaches such as Surin and Laem Sing, where they were not supposed to operate.
Phuket Police Commander Major General Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun, attending his first honorary consuls' meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City, said police might still be called in to negotiate on a case-by-case basis.
He undertook to see whether action could be taken against people who sold fireworks to tourists on Patong and other beaches, and said the wholesalers could be pursued as well. The problem was raised by German honorary consul Dirk Naumann, who said three groups of German tourists had raised the issue with him.
Major General Chonsit said he would also look into a condominium property dispute in Patong in which Australians, Swedes and others had invested their money but had ''lost their life savings and were very distressed,'' according to Mr Cunningham.
US Consul General Elizabeth S Pratt attended the meeting with Phuket wardens Denny Bowman and Bruce Stanley, who tend to the emergency needs of US citizens on Phuket in a similar fashion to honorary consuls.
The announcement of Ms Pratt's presence by Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin, substituting as chair for Governor Tri Augkaradacha, was greeted with a warm round of applause.
Major General Chonsit made the suggestion that honorary consuls should advise him of problems in advance of the next meeting so that he could more fully provide answers.
With expectations high that some of Phuket's core problems are likely to be addressed in advance of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra holding a Cabinet session on Phuket on March 19-20, the gathering was low key and over within 90 minutes.
He said that Phuket's jet-skis were now all insured, so there was no longer a need for tourists and operators to negotiate the cost of damages when crashes occurred.
Australian honorary consul Larry Cunningham made the point that there were times when the jet-skis that were taken out had already been damaged, and that one group of Australians handed over money last year after being ''surrounded, pushed and shoved'' by as many as 20 jet-ski operators.
''They were so scared they handed over the money,'' he said.
Still unresolved, said British honorary consul Martin Carpenter, was the problem of jet-skis operating at beaches such as Surin and Laem Sing, where they were not supposed to operate.
Phuket Police Commander Major General Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun, attending his first honorary consuls' meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City, said police might still be called in to negotiate on a case-by-case basis.
He undertook to see whether action could be taken against people who sold fireworks to tourists on Patong and other beaches, and said the wholesalers could be pursued as well. The problem was raised by German honorary consul Dirk Naumann, who said three groups of German tourists had raised the issue with him.
Major General Chonsit said he would also look into a condominium property dispute in Patong in which Australians, Swedes and others had invested their money but had ''lost their life savings and were very distressed,'' according to Mr Cunningham.
US Consul General Elizabeth S Pratt attended the meeting with Phuket wardens Denny Bowman and Bruce Stanley, who tend to the emergency needs of US citizens on Phuket in a similar fashion to honorary consuls.
The announcement of Ms Pratt's presence by Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin, substituting as chair for Governor Tri Augkaradacha, was greeted with a warm round of applause.
Major General Chonsit made the suggestion that honorary consuls should advise him of problems in advance of the next meeting so that he could more fully provide answers.
With expectations high that some of Phuket's core problems are likely to be addressed in advance of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra holding a Cabinet session on Phuket on March 19-20, the gathering was low key and over within 90 minutes.
Martin Cunningham . Who is that ed ???
Posted by lord Jim on February 28, 2012 21:16
Editor Comment:
A very unlikely character.