Thread: Phuket Director of Min of Foreign Affairs Threatens Australian Hon. Con Mafia Style

There are plenty of threads about how fecked up and dangerous Phuket has become - thought this deserved a thread as it raises the game to a new level with direct threats from Thai govt. officials against foreign consular appointees.

I wonder if this will escalate.

''And it is not wise to always say bad things about Phuket while you are still living and doing your business in this city.''


Phuket Jet-Ski Dispute Leads to Row Among Envoys, Thai Official - Phuket Wan

Phuket Jet-Ski Dispute Leads to Row Among Envoys, Thai Official
By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison
Friday, August 30, 2013
PHUKET: A Phuket jet-ski dispute over payment for damage has developed into an international row involving Australian envoys and a Thai official.

In the aftermath of the jet-ski incident, a senior Thai official on Phuket sent a message to Australian honorary consul Larry Cunningham.



The message concluded: '' . . . it is not wise to always say bad things about Phuket while you are still living and doing your business in this city.''

It's believed envoys at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok have taken a dim view of the message, sent in a text to Mr Cunningham's mobile telephone today.

Mr Cunningham was alerted last night to a jet-ski incident at Karon beach, which is almost as popular with Australian visitors as nearby Patong.

Mr Cunningham contacted the Governor, Maitree Intrusud, and the Chief of Marine 5's Phuket Office, which oversees the jet-skis, and arranged to meet them with the Commander of Phuket Police at Karon Police Station today.

When Mr Cunningham arrived at the police station, he was told the jet-ski dispute had been settled last night. While at the Karon Police Station, Mr Cunningham received an sms that read:

''The Australian boy paid only 16,000 [baht] and has been released because the governor will pay the balance for him for the engine damaged as the boy made jet ski sunk to the ground, which is not covered by insurance.

''He (and you too) should thank the governor instead of just making complaints all the times.

''And it is not wise to always say bad things about Phuket while you are still living and doing your business in this city.''

The message was sent by Siriporn Tantiphanyatep, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Phuket Office.

At a meeting at Phuket's administrative headquarters soon after to clarify the jet-ski issue, Khun Siriporn said to Mr Cunningham that he should thank the governor for paying the balance of the money outstanding in the jet-ski dispute.

However, it quickly emerged that Governor Maitree had not paid any money to settle the jet-ski dispute.

The Governor and Marine Office 5 chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut arrived at the meeting soon after Mr Cunningham had left.

Karon Police Superintendent, Colonel Veerawat Jantharawijid, said the jet-ski dispute had been settled the previous night.

The tourist paid 16,000 baht and insurance covered another 16,000 baht, he said. There was no clarification about a claim that the jet-ski operator had struck the tourist.

Colonel Veerawat said the passport of the tourist had only been held by police at the station for the time it took to write a report on what had happened.

Governor Maitree, who delivered a lecture yesterday to 80 jet-ski operators about the need for them to become ''brand ambassadors'' for Phuket, said that he should be notified about all disputes involving tourists.

The governor's even-handed approach appeared at odds with the message sent to Mr Cunningham by Khun Siriporn.

It is the role of Phuket's honorary consuls to protect their citizens in disputes with Phuket locals or police.

Earlier, Mr Cunningham told journalists that he and other honorary consuls remained concerned because most jet-ski disputes were settled by intimidating behavior without envoys getting to hear about them.

The Australian tourist involved in the jet-ski dispute was due to fly home from Phuket today.

POSTSCRIPT: The jet-ski owner said later that insurance did not cover the extra 16,000 baht because of a clause in the contract ruling out single-vehicle accidents and sinkings. ''I will have to pay,'' said Somphot Kukkro.

Honorary consuls have suggested that all jet-ski operators should pay a higher premium for full insurance so there are no disputes with tourist riders over extra payments.

lies and threats (often followed up on); typical day for a Thai gvt official...

Flotsam and jetski of lowlife
They should stamp tourists with warning entering twilight zone at the Airport

I wouldnt be surprised if a re-shuffle occurs

It also reflects badly on the lily livered foriegn consulates who consistently refuse to truthfully inform their citizens as to just how bad the problems are and that all thais, from the top to the bottom are profiting from these scams.

So long as the consulates continue to couch their advice in the politically correct non offensive language of the diplomat rather than the tell the hard truth, then their citizens will always be misi nformed and therefore easily scammed and extorted by the thai thieves that control that island.

Good point, Tax. You're not bad, at times, for a Northerner...

Irrespective of any indemnity allegedly issued in respect of the jetski operators, the entire enterprise is underwritten by the principle no Thai can be out of pocket where a farang is concerned, particularly when the endeavour is just another front for the chickenhead mafia and their sidekicks.

Consulates should simply inform their citizens that the jetski hire business in Thailand is fraught with extortion and is to be avoided at all costs. Those who insist on availing themselves of the amenity should be aware that they do so at their own risk and cannot expect any consular assistance in the event they become victims of the racket.

possibly a more direct approach to helping people, before boarding a plane to give each a leaflet explaining possible scams going on in countries, then anyone that gets scammed, have been warned.

If the Thais won't do anything, consulates and govts are there to protect there citizens so they should be doing something before it happens.

It is remarkably short-sighted that tourism 'entrepreneurs' would bite the hand that feeds them so flippantly and frequently.

It is also remarkably foolish of so many tourists to travel to foreign countries like Thailand (or wherever) and not do some due diligence on what to expect.

Originally Posted by gaysexbyproxy

It is remarkably short-sighted that tourism 'entrepreneurs' would bite the hand that feeds them so flippantly and frequently.

It is also remarkably foolish of so many tourists to travel to foreign countries like Thailand (or wherever) and not do some due diligence on what to expect.

I think most people are accustomed to the whole Planet of the Apes cultural norms of Thailand.

Senior government officials making direct, intimidatory threats to foreign consular officials raises the game to a whole new level.

I doubt even Argentina used language like that during the Falklands War. She may be just another regular, demi educated Thai official, but even she ought to know better.

Originally Posted by Perota

Originally Posted by thegent

Irrespective of any indemnity allegedly issued in respect of the jetski operators, the entire enterprise is underwritten by the principle no Thai can be out of pocket where a farang is concerned.

Nothing to do with Thai and farangs. Try renting a car with AVIS in Paris. If you decide not to pay their outrageously expensive insurance, pray that nothing happens to you. Last time I rented a car with them, I damaged a side mirror because I was not used to drive on the right side of the road anymore. With the price they charged me, I could have bought a brand new car.

The facility to indemnify yourself against any excess liable under the hire contract is there in Europe. With a little bit of foresight one can take out a policy for car hire independent of the hirer which covers any excess. Anyone who drives a hire vehicle without such cover is plainly an idiot.

However, since the topic concerns Thailand and is therefore by definition not subject to any norms your digression is quite otiose.

I was staying at the Royal Cruise Hotel in Pattaya last week and there were prominent and very clear warnings in the lifts against renting jetskis and motorbikes.

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

I doubt even Argentina used language like that during the Falklands War. She may be just another regular, demi educated Thai official, but even she ought to know better.

For people who pat themselves on the back so much for being respectful, thoughtful of others, polite and kraeng jai, it's astounding what comes out of their mouths sometimes.

Originally Posted by gaysexbyproxy

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

I doubt even Argentina used language like that during the Falklands War. She may be just another regular, demi educated Thai official, but even she ought to know better.

For people who pat themselves on the back so much for being respectful, thoughtful of others, polite and kraeng jai, it's astounding what comes out of their mouths sometimes.

U no understandy Thai way ,Thai alway right esop when wong

Originally Posted by taxexile

It also reflects badly on the lily livered foriegn consulates who consistently refuse to truthfully inform their citizens as to just how bad the problems are and that all thais, from the top to the bottom are profiting from these scams.

So long as the consulates continue to couch their advice in the politically correct non offensive language of the diplomat rather than the tell the hard truth, then their citizens will always be misi nformed and therefore easily scammed and extorted by the thai thieves that control that island.

You must be under the impression that foreign diplomatic missions exist to extend an interest for it's citizenry?

Rather naive of you.

'Honorary consuls' are unpaid bozos who take the title for a little bit of social status, in exchange for helping out tourists who have been crapped on...... but they only help a modest amount i.e. advisory mostly. Their role is mainly ceremonial.

With the ' consul' business card, they get to go to parties that otherwise they would be thrown out of.

They aren't there to promote trade. In Thailand. That is done by functionaries in the Embassies.

The less they pass on relevant information to to their citizens, the more they will be bothered by their citizens when those citizens fall foul of the mafias, the police, the taxi drivers, the ladyboys, the scammers etc.etc. and call on them for assistance, thereby disturbing their well paid easy lives

Whatever the Hon Con's perceived role - it's unprecedented that he should receive an personal intimidatory threat from a Thai govt. representative. Even more disturbing that there has been no sanction so far against her.

It's a clear message to anyone foolish enough to still consider Thailand a a safe, welcoming destination. Far less a country to invest in.

^
You mean like the no-sanctions against the drunken stiletto heal wielding Thai FO bitch in Cairo against a hi-so Egyptian woman? Happened in a hotel owned by the all-powerful-never-to-mention. I wonder if the security VDO actually worked?

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

^
You mean like the no-sanctions against the drunken stiletto heal wielding Thai FO bitch in Cairo against a hi-so Egyptian woman? Happened in a hotel owned by the all-powerful-never-to-mention. I wonder if the security VDO actually worked?

Something like that - nothing came of it, as usual.

I'm glad to be watching the whole monkey act from outside the zoo these days. When the big day comes, I'll just watch the whole shitfest unravel on CNN.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

lies and threats (often followed up on); typical day for a Thai gvt official...

Don't give me that fucking shit.

In every case, the complainants admit to doing damage to the jet skis and they just dispute the cost. I can pull up 5 examples if you want.

It's the fucking nanny state crybabies that make the threats to their council because they didn't read the fine print on the contract.

If scamming was such easy money then why doesn't the hotel business do it ?
They could just as easily claim you did damage to the room

Originally Posted by david44

Flotsam and jetski of lowlife
They should stamp tourists with warning entering twilight zone at the Airport

I wouldnt be surprised if a re-shuffle occurs

Notice how it keeps happening despite the warnings ? Maybe because the tourists don't think they will crash and then they do....

Originally Posted by thegent

Irrespective of any indemnity allegedly issued in respect of the jetski operators, the entire enterprise is underwritten by the principle no Thai can be out of pocket where a farang is concerned, particularly when the endeavour is just another front for the chickenhead mafia and their sidekicks.

Consulates should simply inform their citizens that the jetski hire business in Thailand is fraught with extortion and is to be avoided at all costs. Those who insist on availing themselves of the amenity should be aware that they do so at their own risk and cannot expect any consular assistance in the event they become victims of the racket.

Unlike you, I have rented fucking jet skis and I can tell you that in all cases damage is done to the jet ski and the tourists are in violation of contract.

I see it all the time. A group of nanny staters will rent 2 jet skis and then go out in the water and try and have a water fight with the splashes. Them they collide and it all goes to ell from there

None of these cases are extortion. Not one . These irresponsible nanny staters have you and most people on this thread fooled.

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

Originally Posted by gaysexbyproxy

It is remarkably short-sighted that tourism 'entrepreneurs' would bite the hand that feeds them so flippantly and frequently.

It is also remarkably foolish of so many tourists to travel to foreign countries like Thailand (or wherever) and not do some due diligence on what to expect.

I think most people are accustomed to the whole Planet of the Apes cultural norms of Thailand.

Senior government officials making direct, intimidatory threats to foreign consular officials raises the game to a whole new level.

I doubt even Argentina used language like that during the Falklands War. She may be just another regular, demi educated Thai official, but even she ought to know better.

It looks so outrageous to you because you are so deluded. It says right on the contract that you sign before riding a jet ski . NO INSURANCE

These cash strapped tourists wreck jet skis and then claim it's a scam.

I don't blame the tourism official. I would be livid of the blackmail too