Jomtien Beach jet ski operators are taking steps to self-regulate their businesses, creating operation zones, setting prices and penalties for breaking the rules.
The Jomtien Boatmen’s Club announced the new policies at its Oct. 3 meeting at the Krua Surf Restaurant. Club President Pattana Bunsawat said the rules were necessary given the Pattaya and Chonburi government’s crackdown on jet ski vendors on Pattaya Beach.
The new rules cover rentals of both jet skis and boats and will take effect by the end of the month.
Last week, police and government officials performed snap inspections along Pattaya Beach (shown). This week, the Jomtien Boatmen’s Club began taking steps to self-regulate their businesses.
Pattana said the first step was to establish zones of operations for individual vendors. The zones begin at the Pattaya Park Hotel and carve up the beach into five segments that end at the Sigma Hotel.
Half-hour rental prices were set based on vehicle type and engine size. Vendors will charge 700 baht for jet skis with 700 cc engines, 1,000 baht for 1,000 cc engines, and 1,300 baht for four-stroke engines.
For boats, a 40-horsepower boat for a trip to Koh Larn will cost 2,000 baht, an 85-horsepower craft will cost 2,500 baht and a 200-horsepower boat will cost 3,500 baht per trip. The twin-engine, 2,000-horsepower vessel will cost 5,000 baht while banana boats and parasailing will cost 600 baht for 30 minutes.
Pattana said the club has already ordered signs to advertise the new prices and zones, including phone numbers in case of accidents or scams.
The club also promised to regulate operators, threatening suspensions or even jail time for offenders. With no laws on the books to govern jet ski scams, however, it remains unclear how the club plans to carry out its promises.
Nonetheless, Pattaya said first- and second-time offenders will be warned or suspended from operating. A breach of rules resulting in death will see the vendor’s license terminated and, in case of any vendor cheating tourists, Pattana said the operator will face arrest.
