Bangkok, 14 August 2014 – The Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently announced a plan to work with the
Department of Tourism, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, to
resolve the issue of tourists being scammed by corrupt jetski operators.
This move comes after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)
issued a command to clean up and regulate the business of jet skis in
many of Thailand’s famous beach destinations.
Jet ski scams have been damaging the reputation of
Thailand’s tourist sector for some time. Most often, having
returned a rented jet ski, tourists are told they have damaged it
and have to pay a hefty repair (up to 100,000 Baht in some cases) fee for
breaks and scratches that were already present.
These large fines are
often extracted under the threat of violence, and many tourists have lodged complaints with their embassies after
being scammed by jetski operators.
Pattaya and Phuket are the two main destinations
where tourists have been scammed and the practice is so well known there is a video on YouTube which shows the conmen in action, posted as a
warning to other tourists.
Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said, ‘Because
of the many reports lodged about these scams, the NCPO has ordered the problem be tackled immediately. The move is one of several measures
put in place by the NCPO to help restore the confidence of tourists
visiting the kingdom. To bring an end to rip-offs and scams, new
regulations will be put in place and more ethical working practices
encouraged.”
The “Jet Ski Rental Service Standards”, which are
coming into force, require that operators have at least a three-month
legal business license tied to a permanent address as well as a valid
insurance policy. In addition, certified supervisors with first-aid
training must be present at all time. To ensure ethical and transparent
services for tourists, jetski operators must clearly display the service
fees as well as terms and conditions.
Rental shops complying with the new service
standards will be issued with a ‘Merry Elephant’ logo by the Department
of Tourism to display. This emblem acts as a guarantee that they are
trusted jetski operators.
The regulations also extend to the safety of
tourists using this equipment. Anyone hiring a jet ski will have to pass
an assessment test before they are allowed to take it out on the water.
Once they pass this test they are still required to wear standard safety
vests at all times.
The TAT Governor said “As we strive to improve the
image of the country’s tourism industry, it is vital all jet ski
businesses understand such standards are vital and they have to
improve their quality of service, staff training and business ethics.
"They also have to bring to the attention of the authorities any operators involved with scams and damaging the reputation of Thailand, so they can be prosecuted and forced out of business.”
“We hope these new regulations will lead to
higher standards and tourists can enjoy the fun water sports
Thailand can offer without worrying they are going to be ripped off
by operators.”
See
more at:
http://www.tatnews.org/tat-collaborates-with-the-department-of-tourism-to-eradicate-jet-ski-scams/#sthash.kIUJPVra.dpuf
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