[QUOTE=Wendella; 1117961]That Drummond actually says some things along these lines in his report on that same site. That basically it's rich higherups running the whole thing, and we just see the cashiers who deal with the live customers. Obviously investigation isn't going to be done by Thai journalists, it's left to us. But can't be that hard to follow the money with a bit of clever detective work and questioning. Some smarter investigation of the actual scammers could easliy be done. For example, have someone play the gullible tourist and show up, and actually inspect the jetski (on hidden camera) and identify the 'damage' before taking the jet ski out, with the operator acknowledging the damage on camera. Then have a colleague sit nearby on the beach waiting for the first victim to arrive and show them actually accusing the new person of causing that same damage, not long after they've already acknowledged that the same damage was there on camera, before this customer ever arrived. And monitor the place. I'm sure these operators themselves are the ones who actually inflict the 'damage'. So it means they probaby wouldn't really go do the repair at all. So showing them renting out the same jetski after they've received payment for this damage, it's a pretty open and shut case what they're doing.
Can follow the money trail easily enough. Surely the JJ types would let out who they work for after a few drinks. Then arrange an interview with the big shot on some pretense and surprise him on camera with the real evidence you've dug up for his 'reaction' (probably ending the interview and running away. Post on youtube, the end. Massive loss of face for the prick. Similar type questioning for the governor in charge who's really trying to let them get away with this and give them cover. Enough rounds of this and then we might see change.
That Big Trouble episode is the kind of thing Thailand needs a lot more of. But it needs more effective journalism. Dots actually connected, the real players shamed on camera (not just the JJ's).
Another angle to work this would be for many people to complain to their hotels, an email and in person complaint campaign. If enough noise happens, coupled with visitor numbers dropping drastically, that might finally have some effect.
I'm surprised one of these groups of marines haven't organized themselves and pulled an all out attack on these guys yet. They could easily overcome their numbers. I don't think Thailand wants an international incident (with their mafia underlings in shooting foreign soldiers) being sparked by stupid little jetski scams. [/QUOTE]I agree totally. The tour operators and hotels should warn occupants of dangers of hiring jet ski's in Thailand. Its just one A4 size print out away from tourists to be more careful.