Pattaya scams declining?

[reader]

From Pattaya Today

 

It looks like tourists and expats in Pattaya are wising up to some traditional scams. A recent survey by this newspaper, involving visitors and law enforcement agencies, has revealed that some traditional money traps have all but evaporated, at least for now!

 

The renting of Jet Skis plagued the tourist industry for years. Typically, naive renters were charged large sums of money for damage to the Jet Ski – usually dents and crashes – which were there before the most recent transaction. City Hall, after ignoring the problem for years, has at last got its act together. The licensing system for Jet Skis has been modernized and the operators obliged to participate in a collective insurance arrangement.

 

Other scams which also seem to be in heavy decline include touts wanting passers-by to rent timeshare apartments. The fraud included asking people to pay deposits on non-existent properties or to mislead customers into thinking they had exclusive use of the property whenever they came to Thailand. Reasons for the decline probably include greater checks by the Immigration Bureau on foreigners working in Pattaya illegally without work permits and the decline in the number of European visitors who might be interested in the concept. For various reasons, touts can’t make much progress with Chinese tourists who make up the majority of international tourists these days.

 

Surprisingly, a dubious practice which continues to be popular is the “beer tower scam”. A group orders a 3-liter tower of draft beer but staff then insert a smaller tube with ice which reduces by up to 30 percent the space available for the beer. It is not suggested that this scam is commonplace in Pattaya and most bars, clubs and restaurants are more concerned these days with attracting customers rather than annoying them.

 

If not exactly a scam, a common complaint by tourists this year remains harassment by transvestites. The most prevalent feature is the ladyboy gang who work in groups to try and distract a stranger by groping or kissing him whilst his wallet or possessions are stolen. The group then typically escape on waiting motorbikes. A spokesman for Pattaya police said arrests had gone up markedly in recent months and many non-Thai cross-dressers had been sent back home, usually to Cambodia or Laos. He advised tourists not to wear expensive jewelry at night, to avoid dimly-lit areas and to keep valuables in a secure pocket or money belt.

 

http://pattayatoday.net/news/latest-edition/are-scams-diminishing/

[vinapu]

We need to take good with bad.

Less scams but also less bars and less fun in them - see recent rumors that neon signs on Walking Street are to be removed

 

Gentrification means place is neater with more regulation and enforcement  but with fun diminished. 

 

Beer tower scan is pretty tame, after all people order that to have fun in var , not to quench their thirst.

 

As Chinese become more fluent in English and learn to travel alone , not in packs they perhaps will become more susceptible to property scams ( hope not.)

[Dalewood]

Gentlemen, have they really got the jet-ski scam resolved? I love jet-skis but have avoided them for decades because of this very issue.

[Gaybutton]

Gentlemen, have they really got the jet-ski scam resolved?

 

There have been no reports in the media about jet ski scams lately.  However, even if the problem has been solved, I would still advise you to avoid jet skis or even swimming in the sea in Pattaya.  The water is incredibly polluted.  Just a couple days ago a lot of trash and dead fish washed up on the beach.  

 

If you want to swim in the sea or rent jet skis, I would suggest doing that far from Pattaya - VERY far from Pattaya - at least until the local powers-that-be get the pollution cleaned up (don't hold your breath for that).

[vinapu]

 

 

If you want to swim in the sea or rent jet skis, I would suggest doing that far from Pattaya - VERY far from Pattaya -

this is where new ferry to Hua-Hin comes handy

[Guest]

Running jet skis near a populated beach is noisy and anti-social.

 

A small minority of riders even cross over the barriers and ride in the area designated for swimming.    Thankfully this is rare, but is extremely inconsiderate.

 

I also question what pleasure people get from riding one of these devices up and down.   One would think the novelty should wear off in about 60 seconds. 

 

Anyhow, this is one scam I shall not lose any sleep over.

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

 

 

CHONBURI – The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched an inspection of eateries in Pattaya following complaints of fake bird’s nest being sold to tourists.

 

DSI agents have joined agents of the Department of Local Administration, tourist police and local public health officials in Pattaya to inspect 9 restaurants.

 

Deputy Director of the DSI Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinil indicated his agency received complaints from the former president of the Birds Nest Business Association of fake bird’s nest being sold in Pattaya. The phony food is made from wood gum and rubber from India and while not posing any harm if consumed does not provide the nutritional benefits promised by bird’s nest. It was noted that the damage to the image of Thailand could cost its bird’s nest industry 4 billion baht a year.

 

Sets of the bogus food were said to be sold for up to 3,000 baht, netting sellers a 2,600 baht profit.

 

The DSI has detained several restaurateurs for selling fake food. They face 6 months to 10 years in prison and a fine between 5,000 and 100,000 baht.

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/dsi-acts-complaints-fake-birds-nest-sold-tourists-183169

 

[vinapu]

From Pattaya Mail

 

 

 

 The phony food ...... and while not posing any harm if consumed does not provide the nutritional benefits promised by bird’s nest.

this can be said about a lot of things we eat unfortunately

[spoon]

But im not paying 3k thb for fake food with no nutritional benefit. Better spend that money for boys lol

[reader]

this can be said about a lot of things we eat unfortunately

 

Agree.  Just hope they don't concoct a fake substitute for my favorite protein-rich drink.

 

Like many posters here who have developed an epicurean's appreciation over many years of visits, we do have our quality standards.