The story below has an all too familiar ring to it.
http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/ ... -incident/
One day these jetski operators are going to pick on the wrong guy and he's going to come back with lots of his mates and smash up either the machines or the people involved. And I suspect that day is not so far away.
One thing that I didn't quite understand from that story was that it was stated that the police negotiated ( forced ?? ) the jet ski operator to dramatically lower his required initial scam amount, which of course is admirable and exactly what a good police officer should do etc etc ........except "TiT" so cynical old me can't see "the angle" ( as there surely must be one?) as to where the hard working police officer got his cut .....unless of course where it refers to "the police" it was perhaps referring to the "tourist police", who I'm guessing (but have no personal knowledge to back up this statement either way) perhaps don't engage in the same practice (or at least not to the same level anyway???)
This jet ski scam (in front of Mikes' and Royal Garden Shopping Center) has been going on for two years. The mayor has played lip service to the scammers, he has even walked out to the beach (with a camera PR crew-of course) but nothing has been done. The truth is.. the police in Pattaya have more power than the mayor; thus, this prey on tourists has not stopped. Yes, certain police are in the scam where they lower the price of "damage". Retired farangs living in Pattaya sit in these areas to watch the "entertainment". Some have even taken vidio of the thugs involved. With all of this evidence, still the city turns their head.
Originally Posted by thrillbill
Ah, the old coffin-dodgers sure know how to live it up don't they!
Who needs live sex shows, hot go-go boys, street-dancers giving you a viagra-assisted erection, or cheery and smiling Bar owners nodding to you as you sip your glass of Complan, when you can sit on Pattaya Beach breathing in the traffic fumes and observing the jet-ski scammers.
"The high life" simply doesn't get any better than that!
:occasion9:
You get presented with a big bill. You got to the police and all they will do is "negotiate" a more reasonable sounding amount and then make sure you pay it because the police are in on it too and get their cut from it.
Not sure if this happens in Pattaya but I've read in Phuket, the police will actually confiscate your passport until you've paid the amount. They actually assist the jet ski operators to ensure they collect their scammed payment. The police are at the scammers' disposal.
So basically, you have little to no options. I'm not sure how much leverage your embassy (local honorary consul) can pull. You can hire a lawyer and they might be able to find a loophole out for you. Once you're caught in that situation, it sounds like there's slim chance of you exiting without paying.
The money, the corruption and all that is one thing. The way it can ruin someone's precious holiday, especially for families, is another thing and a really horrible sight to see. If they're trying to get a parent to pay, they're quite happy to threaten their kids and stop them from leaving. They really don't give a f*** and have no sense of right and wrong.
Well B/L I am not repeat not talking about the jet ski operators of Phuket because I have only read about them but I can tell you that I have been involved in two problems that one could have taken to court in USA and the problems were efficiently negotiated out by the police here in Pattaya and to my full satisfaction. Imagine that, time not spent in court with lawyers, extended trips and time in the courtroom and its over, 1,2,3. I am not saying that police dont have their hand in some but I can tell you I have experienced a different form of justice at times that I think a pretty damn good idea if done properly.
Sorry Neal but your experience doesn't count. Unless I am way off line about this I believe that all gogo bar owners are clients of the police and therefore can expect better service. If this comment will cause you any problems you have my full permission to delete it.
No, it is your opinion, but you see I have had experience with to of my boys on Jomtien Beach where they got into an accident and the police were involved to settle the matter. Nobody knew of the bar as the bar was not there yet, it was years ago. After a few hours of hashing it out through translators and police, the matter was settled quite reasonably.
I'm sure your experience was positive and as you say it but I don't believe the police there are consistent, transparent or accountable and your experience in one scenario is no concrete indicator for what you might experience in a different scenario.
I don't know so much about this scam in Pattaya but as I described above, in Phuket the police are heavily involved in it. They don't just tolerate and allow it. They enable, assist and facilitate the scam. It's a totally different situation.
I love jet skis but in Thailand you must never ever get on one in the first place...
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