Jet Ski Scammers emboldened

[QuotaMan]

http://www.pattayaone.net/

 

See these guys are 'slick,' this is the 'new' variation on the jet ski scam as reported on Pattaya One:

 

- Confront tourists (i.e. marks) when they return jet skis about "damage"

- Scare them by saying that if they go to or involve the police, things will get worse

- Have an interpreter "negotiate" on their behalf

- Request a much smaller amount initially than was done previously. In this case the Iranian tourists paid "only" 4000 baht to settle the case. Usually these scammers ask for something much higher initially, like 100,000 baht.

 

Psychologically this is pretty slick, as I assume most foreign tourists would rather pay the 4000 baht and not involve the police and the unknown. 4000 baht a tourist can live with compared to 100,000 baht plus or nasty "negotiations" (I speak in terms of the general tourist population from everywhere, middle east, asia, europe, etc., and not BM's here).

 

That's still a lot of money to be made by these parasites. You figure 4000 baht or so multiply by dozens per day, and so on.

[stanger69]

In December I saw this stupid Indian kid run right over a parked one about 20 ft off shore. Totally destroyed it. As we were walking away, the owner, the police and the kid's family were in deep negotiation for about 480,000b! I imagine his vacation was done haha.

[Raymond38]

These men who rent Jet ski and who steal tourists are not a good ad for the industry of tourism in Pattaya.

They can be considered like a mafia.

I hope that the police act against them, but I think and I am afraid that it's not for today.

[Beach road__ #1 Fan]

For sure the Police are getting some of the money

[properperson]

one word of advice to anyone consdering renting a jet ski in Pattaya - Dont............

[GoldCoastJon]

These guys have been doing this scam for ages. There not likely to stop anytime soon as it seems to be a license to print money, for them and the back handers to the police.

 

I'd never contemplate hiring a jet ski, just not worth the hassle

[Trespass]

I stayed at the Marriott in Nov. 2009 and they had signs posted warning guests not to rent jet skis. Good people, bad people. Same same everywhere.

[Flimflam]

The most I've seen scammed from tourists is B40,000.

Serious problem for Pattaya as it's the more legitimate buisnesses which are losing money as a result of this scam. So come on buisness owners do something about it because at the end of the day it's your money they are taking.

[stevensonn]

I think there has been more than enough publicity about these jet ski operators . If anybody still chooses to use them and gets scammed I think that person has him or herself to blame

[Soi Six Snatch Sniffer]

These guys have been doing this scam for ages. There not likely to stop anytime soon as it seems to be a license to print money, for them and the back handers to the police.

 

I'd never contemplate hiring a jet ski, just not worth the hassle

as many more have said. just dont rent one..no hardship

[neo1011]

In December I saw this stupid Indian kid run right over a parked one about 20 ft off shore. Totally destroyed it. As we were walking away, the owner, the police and the kid's family were in deep negotiation for about 480,000b! I imagine his vacation was done haha.

Ha ha well if your going to get scammed you may as well get your moneys worth..

[leadpencil]

I was walking along Beach Road yesterday morning and most of the guys renting the jet skis look like really nasty pieces of work.

[lyin_in_bed]

saw an indian get slapped around after hitting a parked jet ski, he was getting done for 2 jet ski's. i was enjoying my beer wtching the action. i knew before they even got on the jet ski just by listening to them they were in for trouble. they were the worst drivers i ever saw.

[Badger77]

I might rent a beach chair...get a few beers and watch these scams for real. Scum of the earth.

[Guiness]

i sat on the deck chairs opposite R G P and saw two young lads (about 15/16)flying around the bay , when the obvious happened. they crashed into one another.

 

they had to be rescued and the jetskis were brought in. one suffered damage to the side/top of the boat,where you would grab it to pull it onto the sand, again the damage was about the size of a large hand and would require a section of about 6 inches by 8 inches to be repaired.the other one suffered damage under the waterline at the front and would also require repair or replacement of a similar area. the outer skin was damaged and inner skin revealed.!

 

 

the cost.................a cool 250,000 baht !

 

 

QQQQ would this amount buy a thai apartment , which could be rented out for a couple of grand a month????

 

 

BTW the chaps were ok!

[andrew]

I really enjoyed driving jetski, when i was in Patts, and i used to take it from the same guy on the Beach road. The price was 600-700b/30 min( varied from trip to trip) and i drove as far as i wished, no restrictments laid on. I also booked a boat for fishing trip with his mediation a couple of times, and that might be the reason why i was never scammed. I did witness many scams happened around with other tourists, mostly with arabs , dont know why. I haven't been in Pattaya for 18 months though, things may turn worse.

Edited March 16, 2011 by andrew

[Dave Hedgehog]

Are they similar problems for renting Scooters and motorbikes? I've got my heart set on having a few days on a Harley when I get out there.

[TGluvver]

Are they similar problems for renting scooters and motorbikes? I've got my heart set on having a few days on a Harley when I get out there.

 

 

In short .... Yes

 

Search the forum for many stories about motorcycle hire trouble.

 

Remember, you are on a very expensive piece of machinery, likely with no damage insurance and on crowded streets with dangerous Thai drivers. For any expensive motorcycle the hirer will probably want your passport as his insurance against doing a runner if you damage the bike.

[danbigd40]

Look, to anyone stupid enough to rent a jetski. WTF? Its really not that fun. You may think you look cool gunning around at full speed, but in reality you look look like a douche! At least give them a fake ID! Then take it for a joyride and leave it a mile down the beach. I will NEVER rent a jetski from a scammer renter on Pattaya!

[tuscan]

i have been lucky i have rent jetski`s a few times in pattaya & not had a problem but one of my pals got scammed for big baht so i will not bother again

[Peterk]

To be honest me and my friends have been renting jetskis since 2006 from the same guys opposite soi 13 and never had a problem really friendly and they know us know. I have not witnnesed any of these scams but know they do happen. In future i will not rent but only from the guys i know. I have even had a conversation with them about these scams!

[flying_guitars]

Have a good look at the Thai Guy's running the Jetski hire...most look like very shady characters indeed ...Saying that....I am not about to hand over my passport to any shady looking character/s who I have only met for 5 minutes.

[GoldCoastJon]

I saw 2 english guys rent jetskis in Jomtien in April. Both had no issues when they returned them from what i could see. Still, after reading all the stories of scams involving Jet Ski operators i wouldn't even dream of taking the risk of hiring one. Best way to ruin a holiday!

[Falang Sap]

Why would bother renting a jet-ski in Patts...

Not what you are really there for, is it?

[Premier3]

I wish that once I hear a story about a tourist killing a jet ski scammer.