Thailand Expats

Wellington · #1 28-11-2005, 16:07

I'd like opinions ,
since yet another serious accident in Patong last week,
as to whether anything will EVER be done to uphold the existing ban on the operation of these dangerous and illegal and uninsured Killers.

Last year there were a number of reported serious accidents, including at least one death .
None of the beaches where JetSkis operate have rope barriers in the sea to at least make a small area out of bounds to swimmers, and KATA is becoming a nightmare waiting to happen.

LivinLOS · #2 28-11-2005, 16:58

Simple thailand systems...

Becoming mayor means more votes than the next guy..

Registered voters are only locals (registered as resident)..

Low amounts of locals means those established local families are important to said elected officials..

Local families own the jetski businesses.

I love the fact that the Gov has given a deadline when jetski's will be abolished.. Just so happens that deadline is after his watch is over.

Benjy · #3 28-11-2005, 17:01

Dont think anything will be done, certainly not for a long while - most of the people killed are being twats on the jetskis anyhow, probably die on a motorcycle if not a jetski.

Wellington · #4 28-11-2005, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjy

Dont think anything will be done, certainly not for a long while - most of the people killed are being twats on the jetskis anyhow, probably die on a motorcycle if not a jetski.

I agree, it seems from what has been said by livinlos, that you leave well alone unless you want a visit
from a little thug with a machete.

And I agree about the Twats, but it's acceptable for a twat to kill himself, but not acceptable when one of these craft cuts down an innocent bather who may well be a child; I've seen them go so close at Kata recently it's terrifying.

Having said all that it seems reason will not over come vested interests, and the protection going with it?

BUT, surely, we are not going to get shot by suggesting more safety levels(barriers at least), and guards employed by the local tambons to put up signs and WATCH and advise the punters.

A pipe dream?

Benjy · #5 28-11-2005, 17:20

Yes but doing those things would give added legitamacy to the jetskis, and would probably end up with more jetskis on the sea.

If you see someone on a jetski nearly hit a child, wait until he gets off and give him a punch on the nose.

Wellington · #6 28-11-2005, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjy

Yes but doing those things would give added legitamacy to the jetskis, and would probably end up with more jetskis on the sea.

If you see someone on a jetski nearly hit a child, wait until he gets off and give him a punch on the nose.

No, because you would put all motor craft in that enclosure so it would be predominantly long tails. And the long tail guys are probably not too happy about the upstart new fangled jetski which takes away a good deal of their business. It might be the start of a self regulatory body of boatmen.

Second, look at the data at the top of my post;; not quite the time of life to go laying one on some cocky twat of 20 or so!!

stevem · #7 28-11-2005, 19:26

Post tsunami it was announced that there would be strict restrictions on the return of them, but that was all forgotten about within the week. I believe a car salesman more then a Thai politician.

the bigboy · #8 29-11-2005, 01:49

why don't they put wheels under it and run on bangla after 6

Mr Lucky · #9 03-12-2005, 18:19

The official line: A member of the governor's staff told me earlier this year that the province stopped issuing new licenses to jetski operators on March 01, 2004. The licenses of current operators are set to expire over the next several years, with the last of them expiring in 2011.

At the end of 2004, there were 219 licensed jetskis in operation, 70 of which were due to expire this year.

Has anyone noticed a 33% decrease in the number of jetskis from last year? Will Phuket be free of jetskis in the coming decade? HA HA HA HA HA!!......Stop it! Milk's coming out my nose.

LivinLOS · #10 03-12-2005, 18:29

The other official line... Anyone piloting a jetski needs a thai operators licence.. No tourist has one.. simple just enforce the law and they are out of biz..

Benjy · #11 03-12-2005, 18:36

Yeah actually, Dont they need a proper ships license as well, as in captain.

LivinLOS · #12 03-12-2005, 19:14

I am unsure how the water licences work out here.. But yes I think its a skippers licence needed but just put operators to cover my ass..

stevem · #13 05-12-2005, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I am unsure how the water licences work out here.. But yes I think its a skippers licence needed but just put operators to cover my ass..

Doesnt really matter what you want to call it, no farang will get one.

Benjy · #14 05-12-2005, 11:39

Thai's also need one - Cant see the thai guys who run the jetskis having one.

stevem · #15 06-12-2005, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjy

Thai's also need one - Cant see the thai guys who run the jetskis having one.

And you should already realise that when it comes to law enforcement, that there are 2 very distinct methods, them and us.

Donz · #16 06-12-2005, 18:49

I loved the jet ski on patong beach, nearly got taken out by a dude who didnt know how to turn missed him by about 1 meter.
More chance getting killed in a tuk tuk then a jetski

wakeboycam · #17 06-12-2005, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellington

I'd like opinions ,
since yet another serious accident in Patong last week,
as to whether anything will EVER be done to uphold the existing ban on the operation of these dangerous and illegal and uninsured Killers.

Last year there were a number of reported serious accidents, including at least one death .
None of the beaches where JetSkis operate have rope barriers in the sea to at least make a small area out of bounds to swimmers, and KATA is becoming a nightmare waiting to happen.

Chaweng Beach Samui they have a seperated area with rope barriers for the Jetski's. Seems to work very well.

Sunrise · #18 17-12-2005, 13:08

We divers have had a few run ins with the jet ski wan*ers. I used to dive quite a bit from the north end of Kata beach, and would always use a marker buoy which I would tow along attached to me with a line. The buoy was bright red, about 50cm in diameter and had the words "DIVER BELOW" written on it....Jet skis would use this as a turning marker or race to see how close they could get to the buoy. I had them go maybe 1m over my head when I had beginner students in the water.

We started to use the South end of Karon beach instead, as Karon beach resort would rope off a section during high season.

Many times when on the bike going home I pass the jet skis being pulled by a pick up, and wish I could just slap on a small incendiary device....

Sunrise · #19 17-12-2005, 13:10

PS

Wellington :

Location: Phuket
Age: 69
Posts: 69

Don't post again!

stevem · #20 17-12-2005, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunrise

PS

Wellington :

Location: Phuket
Age: 69
Posts: 69

Don't post again!

And why should he not post again???

LivinLOS · #21 17-12-2005, 13:33

Hes got the magic number..

Sunrise · #22 17-12-2005, 13:41

Age 69, Posts 69. Mister 69!

Wellington · #23 17-12-2005, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Hes got the magic number..

Not any more!