Aus Hon Con in tense talks over Phuket jet-ski incident

[EvilDrSomkid 985]

Are there people knowledged about jet skis who know what kind of damage a submerged jet ski incurs? Surely a watercraft like this is designed to withstand a dunking?

You are applying reason and logic. Tsk tsk.

[harrycallahan 1,575]

Are there people knowledged about jet skis who know what kind of damage a submerged jet ski incurs? Surely a watercraft like this is designed to withstand a dunking?

You are applying reason and logic. Tsk tsk.

Well we do have the tourist policeman state that it should be no more than 5000.

So this lad was assaulted and asked to pay 8 times the fair price under duress. Fair(er) result only achieved after intervention from consul.

No problems here!

[madmitch 8,992]

I really have no idea how these guys scan get away with renting jet skis during the low season when waves are high, dangerous currents are present and red flags are flying on the beach.

Actually, I can guess how they can get away with it but it seriously should not not be allowed.

And while on the subject, perhaps they should be banned in high season as well!

[Confuscious 1,523]

New song for Phuket

10CC - DREADLOCK HOLIDAY

Writer(s):STEWART, ERIC/GOULDMAN, GRAHAM
Album: Track 1 on Bloody Tourists

Modified version:

I was walkin' down the street

Concentratin' on truckin' left
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked round in a state of fright
I saw four faces one mad
A brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit
And turned to each other

I say
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it
I don't like Phuket no no
I love it
Don't you walk thru my road
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk thru my road
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet

Well he looked down at my silver chain
He said I'll give you one dollar
I said You've got to be jokin' man
It was a present from me Mother
He said I like it I want it
I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You'd better understand that you're alone
A long way from home

And I say
I don't like Phuket no no
I love it
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer me pitch
Don't you walk thru my road
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet

I hurried back to the swimming pool
Sinkin' pina colada
I heard a dark voice beside me say
Would you like something harder
She said I've got it you want it
My harvest is the best
And if you try it you'll like it
And wallow in a dreadlock holiday

And I say
Don't like Phuket oh no
I love her
Don't like Phuket oh no
I love her oh yea
Don't you walk through her road
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk thru her road
'Cause you ain't heard her out yet

I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it (Dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love it (Dreadlock holiday)
I don't like Phuket oh no
I love her (Dreadlock holiday)

Edited August 31, 2013 by Confuscious

[steelepulse 4,169]

There are so many things wrong with this incident I don't even know where to start. I really can't see gov't officials in any civilised countries threatening a citizen and telling them not to "talk bad" about a country except maybe North Korea. What about the police "releasing" the Australian boy and keeping his passport for a "photo copy" and only releasing upon payment. This is of course illegal.

In most countries, this gov't official that threatened someone would seriously be reprimanded, if not sacked. I doubt anything will happen here except for her to backtrack and say that what she said was taken the wrong way.

[Chao Lao Beach 1,201]

Larry Cuningham has a spine, unlike the Australian Embassy in Bangkok which are pathetic and run by Thais that side with Thais when there is ever an issue.

[deecee10 385]

The whole thing is a scam from beginning to end going right to the top of government in Phuket, so Mr. Cunningham is a brave man.

Until Western governments such as Australia really publicise this problem and actively dissuade their citizens from going to Phuket then nothing much will happen.

[Songhua 4,185]

Stop going to Phuket. Everybody should know this is the status quo.

A consular person being threatened by local government officials. Insane.

A scared dog's only defence is to bite.

[Tatsujin 12,614]

There's the answer loud and clear.

We don't like foreigners here, we don't want foreigners here, EXCEPT for as long as we can screw them over and then send them home as soon as possible afterwards.

Oh, and please stop making a fuss, it's making us look bad in the press.

[NamKangMan 5,621]

Stop going to Phuket. Everybody should know this is the status quo.

A consular person being threatened by local government officials. Insane.

A scared dog's only defence is to bite.

An interesting comment.

I suppose someone has to explain to someone why "takings" and "tea money" are down on Phuket. That's how mafia works. The money goes up the chain of command.

Not all can be blamed on "low season."

It might be possible the scams, rip offs, extortion, crime etc increases sharply here in the near future in order to maintain the regular monthly payments, or, some may risk "punishment" from their boss.

[chunktal 10]

Every country should make it law, for travel agents selling any country with repeated scams.to advise the traveller of the risks and not to get involved in certain kinds of activities, i know every country has a page warning about this and that,but truthfully, not many tourists look at them.

Yep, from the Australian Government travel website http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

"Australian travellers continue to report harassment and threats of violence by jet ski operators on beaches across Thailand, and particularly in Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan."

The warning is there, just need to get people back home to read it before travelling.

[SOTIRIOS 3,624]

...typical Thai justice.....and a threat, to boot......

....while an accused murderer.....flies the coop.......

[angsta 2,106]

Why would anyone hire a jet ski in Thailand, ever??

[Carrerakiss 441]

I don't know the Hon Consul concerned, but if he has lived and done business in Thailand as long as he has, he should know that by telling the Thai authorities what to do about jet ski practices, he is on a slippery slope to a sticky end.

Instead of telling Thais what to do, he should focus on his duties of telling Assuies what not to do....renting jet skis being front and centre. That is his job, on an honorary basis anyway.

[sscsamui 604]

This will Never Stop happening as long as the authority's allow These Thai Thug Mafia Scammers to operate... Never.... They Know that they can and will get away with it.

Phuket, Samui and Pattaya all the same...

So sad....