I have terrible experience with Jet Ski in Patong beach. That day i rent a 30min Jet Ski at Patong Beach, when i was returning back to shore, my machine break down, no matter how i accelerate the jet just won't go. In the end, a big wave came and i was capsized. The one who rent us the Jet skid, lets call him the "bad Guy", ask me for damages. Guess how much, they demand $65,000 Thai Baht. This include $20,000 repair cost and $45,000 loss in business (opportunity cost).

The Jet engine compartment was soaked with water and one of the Tourist told us that it cannot be worth $65,000 baht. We then cannot agreed with the sum and end up in Tourist Police Center and manage to pay $20,000 Baht. The whole process was with hostile attitude and intimating. We have no choice but to pay for a safe passage.

I here by advice all tourist not to go any of the Jet Skid. My experience is true with no lies. If you all think that water going into engine compartment need $20,000 Baht then i have nothing to say. I appealing to tourist that, do not engage in Jet skid activity by doing me a favor and at the same time protecting your own interest.

Hi Green

Unfortunately this has been a problem for years and the only way to avoid a problem with one of these operators is to avoid them all together. It’s a shame but this is an all too common story about people using jet skis. Unfortunate and expensive lesson learnt I am sure.

Cheers.

It has been said many times before on this forum do not rent Jet Skis as they are dangerous and poluting of the enviroment and this scenario is a common occurance, the authorites are trying to make sure all the operatores are insured which means each time they pull this stunt they will have to submit a claim to the insurance company, I am sure after the 5 time they claim for the same thing they will not be entertained any longer.

Summary

Do Not Rent Jet Skis

Regards

Alan

Agree with the previous 2 posters. If you really do want to rent a jet ski though, make sure you make pictures of the whole jet ski, so you can prove the exact condition it was in before you rented it.

Hi, two weeks ago at lunch with my wife’s uncle and family in OZ.
He starts talking about a terrible experience his Physio had with her husband and son and jet skis in Phuket.
I already knew the answer from this site.
The two skis on the beach were offered for inspection but the one bobbing in the water it was assured was okay.
You can guess the rest.

enjoy

shway

what i always say never rent any thing in Thai you will be held responsible for all damage,and made to pay,

stick to the bigger tour operators every time,

Here on Phuket, there are really no scams like this with cars and motorbikes. So I'd be happy to rent those of the streets, just not jet skis.

steve i do agree with what you say,but its not quite the same when your living in Thai the locals get to know you and you them and gain if you like insider knowledge,but there are some gullible tourist,

"steve i do agree with what you say,but its not quite the same when your living in Thai the locals get to know you and you them and gain if you like insider knowledge,but there are some gullible tourist,"

Since I live here, I don't need to rent a car/motorbike, have my own.

But as a tourist, renting cars/motorbikes from the streets: no problem. Jetskis: big problems.

why it seems its only the jet ski hires that are skammers,

I don't know why its only the jetski guys that are the scammers, maybe because they can get away with it easily: normally no police in the direct vicinity, more isolated than somewhere on the streets, more difficult for the scammed to just walk away?

Just to share with you all, when i was negotiating with the "bad guy" he dare us to go to the local police post which we do not wish to go. In the end they bring us to the local police post where we feel something fishy but in the end we insist to go tourist police and we end up at tourist police and we settled there.

It is strange that the "bad guy" insist to go local police post rather than tourist police. Do they have any connection with them? the rest is up to u all to speculate

Dear ALL who are silly enough to hire a Jet Ski,

Here is my advice and how I used to deal with this scenario and tactics I used to use when encountering this situation when dealing with the Jet Ski mafia on Bangtao Beach when working for the Sheraton, and advice I give to people when I see it happen when I got to Patong beach on my days off.

1) Inspect the jet ski for any damage and point it out before you get on it, if its beat upand scratched and seat ripped and clearly damaged dont even get on it, just wait for the next one to be offered by another operator and only take one that is in pristine condition, if it looks like crap then you are asking for trouble as unless you take photos it will be your word against his that it was not there in the first place, there are lots of operators all in competition you are not limited by choice.

2) Do not feel intimidated, they may be bigger in number than you and covered in tattoos and may look very rough but they will not physically touch you, if they do then you can have them arrested for assault and they know it, they may use threatening language like we know where you stay blah blah blah, but do not let yourself get angry and most of all do not swear this is a sign that they have rattled your cage, the best tactic is to laugh at them, and right off the bat say ok where is your insurance papers and your operator license.

3) If the police are to become involved do not let them call the police as it may not be a fair fight, call 1125 and ask the tourist police to come to the beach where you are and let them speak to the guy to give exact location, DO NOT give them your passport under any circumstances, let them look at it in your hand to verify your identity and show them your visa page, if you let go of it then you are in a weaker position.

4) It is likely the jet ski operator will claim damage and loss of income, in this instance he has to prove that you have signed a document stating you will be held responsible for any damage, check what your signing when you sign the paper to take the jet ski in the first place.

5) If did damage the jet ski because you really did then be honest and pay for your damages, however if it is a chance taker then tell the police that unless they are going to arrest you for something you are going back to your hotel and you would appreciate their protection and ask for a lift back in the police car, if the jet ski owner wishes to pursue his damages claim then you will leave a photocopy of your passport and relevant contact details for him to make a civil claim against you, then all you have to do is make sure you are out of the country before he can do this, once there is a civil claim against you then the police may hold your passport until it is sorted out.

The best tactic is to sort of force the police hand in the fact they cannot arrest you for anything, they are there as negotiators, if it is honestly damage as you bashed into your buddy and crashed then pay up, but if its a scam then ask the police to remove you from the scene and return you to the hotel call your local consulate for assistance especially if you are parted from your passport by anyone, under the pretence of a Thai national behaving threatening towards you i.e. they say "they will come and get you later" or words to that effect.

The easiest way to avoid all this drama is to actually not hire one in the first place, unless you know what you are doing and are trained in its operation its similar to getting onto a 1000cc motorbike with no training and no crash helmet, and water is not soft when you hit it at 40kmph

Hope this helps those who still feel the need to pollute the environment, and risk their own lives and that of the people in the water who you can’t see, oh and lose money to people who will exploit you and your stupidity and ignorance of the law.

Regards

Alan

I don't know about gullible happydays but when the police start threatening you and hold on to your passport then you have no choice but to pay up, Thai' police are as bad as the rip off merchants they support. it's quite simply a corrupt country allowed to play on tourists.

fare enough maybe not gullible,but no need to hand over your passport to anybody,i do not agree with Thai police are bad and rip of merchants,maybe some will take a bribe,and yes most will side with a Thia national over a farang,foreigner,
back to what i say before,use big tour companies for tours,and hire cars from hire companies like budget,get insurance,and keep away from any body that hires out anything from the road side,
JONRICH HAVE YOU HAD SOME SORT OF RUN IN WITH THE THAI OLD BILL

Well said Alan.There are plenty more things to do in that wonderful part of the world than get ripped off and then stressed out over a jet ski.
Thank you for your valueable advice.

too true, we just got back and had an awful time with the Jet Ski mob, my children were terrified........the police said it's so common....as a travel agent I will definately make sure non of my clients hire Jet Ski's then maybe they will all go out of business.

This happened on our first day and gave a bad taste...I feel for the Thai people as some tourists maybe feel ripped off by Thai's when these thugs are a minority.......

While I agree with all said above about the Jetski's I have to say that we have obviously very luck in the past. In the last 5 years that we have been going to Phuket and about 7 or 8 visits by my friends and their Teenage children, we have not had any problems with the Jetski guys on the beach. My friend has just returned after spending a week there and her kids would have used them everyday. In 2007 we took 3 teenage boys who also rode jetskis every day.
Maybe we are luck as it would seem or maybe some of the operators are "nicer" than others. We stay at Patong Bay Garden and use the operators that are set up in front of it.
But if you are too use be very careful.

Michelle

i never hire anything,but that apart,i can see why these people who hire jet skies to get angry at tourist who hire them,i sit and watch them,trying to get the the tourist back to shore when there time is up,there running up and down waving there arms,it must anger them,care and understanding is needed on both sides,

Not worth the hassle if it can end up ruining your holiday. I know they can be fun but in Phuket you are not in charge and can be easily exploited by the jet ski operators if a scenario comes along where they can.

But a holiday is a holiday and it is about having fun so think it through and weigh up up the pros & cons before making up your mind...Ronnie.

the jet ski boys, tuk tuk drivers & bangla rd touts are all the scum of phuket, they all in with the local police, no wonder why they only wanted to go to the local cops , & not the tourist police ,

getting ripped off/scammed by the jet ski boys , happens every day & will continue to happen as long as ppl get keep hiring them,
i never been on them as i've known about their antics,

i was merely asking a question why people thought jet ski hirer's were skam artist,i wasn't accusing,and I've never had a problem with them,
harsh words to to say the majority of working people are skum of the earth,tuk tuk driver's have recently started to collaborate with each other,they do tend to stick to the same price,which is fare business for all tuk tuk drivers,

Finally some action.
Top cop orders end to Phuket jet-ski scams

enjoy

shway

this scam has being going on for a very long time .ever since they have being on the beach in 1988 my self and 2 swiss freind rented some back then they had 6 hp outboards on them .any way my swiss freinds sky stoped the jet sky man blamed him for it the cops were called and 500bt changed hands .but when all this was going on i had a look at the ski the chook was jammed on half way so of cause it would stop when it got hot so you were not the first and will not be the last just stay away .

Think you meant choke Razor edge. If it had a chook stuck in it then it really had a problem..Cheers.

I will have to keep an eye on my spelling i should use spell check.it puts a whole new meaning to chokeing the chook.

Unfortunately I'm afraid it is going to be: again some talk. They have been going on about this for years already, with so far lots of talk and no action. I hope with you and everybody that something is done, but am afraid nothing will happen. I stand by my opinion: they only way to stop this is to ban them. Much safer for other beach users as well, plus much more agreeable for other beach users.

Thanks steve, bummer.

Agree they should be banned.

I hate them at home and away.

Looks like I just hate them.

shway

I also agree. In the current form that they operate is negative to the tourism aspect of Phuket and mainly Patong.

The operators are so friendly to get you on the jet skis but a mishap be it your fault or not soon becomes a big problem.

Stay away from the jet skis