Potential Jet Ski Scam foiled by Pattaya Port Authorities
A Chinese couple, who were told that they had caused 15,000 Baht’s worth of damage to a Jet Ski after they returned it back to the operator sought assistance from the Pattaya Port Authorities leading to a reduction in the compensation claim and action taken against the operator.
The couple had rented a Jet Ski from Khun Narongdaert aged 21 at the southern end of Pattaya Beach on Thursday afternoon but as they returned to shore the Jet Ski appeared to strike a rock under the water. An inspection determined that some damage had been caused to the front-end of the Jet Ski. Straight away the operator demanded 15,000 Baht to cover the damage which appeared excessive to the Chinese pair.
They were able to contact the Pattaya Port Authorities who took the Jet Ski to the Bali Hai Port for an inspection. They determined the cost of the damage was far less than the 15,000 Baht asked for. They were unable to come to an agreement at the Port so all concerned parties were taken to Pattaya Police Station where the operator agreed to a substantially lower figure of 2,000 Baht. This aroused suspicion that the operator was not comfortable being at the Police Station so further checks on him were made.
The Port authorities confirmed Khun Narongdaert’s operating license had expired and he was also found to be operating in a zone designated for swimmers and not Jet Ski’s. He is now under investigation by the Port authorities
A Chinese couple, who were told that they had caused 15,000 Baht’s worth of damage to a Jet Ski after they returned it back to the operator sought assistance from the Pattaya Port Authorities leading to a reduction in the compensation claim and action taken against the operator.
The couple had rented a Jet Ski from Khun Narongdaert aged 21 at the southern end of Pattaya Beach on Thursday afternoon but as they returned to shore the Jet Ski appeared to strike a rock under the water. An inspection determined that some damage had been caused to the front-end of the Jet Ski. Straight away the operator demanded 15,000 Baht to cover the damage which appeared excessive to the Chinese pair.
They were able to contact the Pattaya Port Authorities who took the Jet Ski to the Bali Hai Port for an inspection. They determined the cost of the damage was far less than the 15,000 Baht asked for. They were unable to come to an agreement at the Port so all concerned parties were taken to Pattaya Police Station where the operator agreed to a substantially lower figure of 2,000 Baht. This aroused suspicion that the operator was not comfortable being at the Police Station so further checks on him were made.
The Port authorities confirmed Khun Narongdaert’s operating license had expired and he was also found to be operating in a zone designated for swimmers and not Jet Ski’s. He is now under investigation by the Port authorities
