Govt to crackdown on jetski and taxi mafia

[buksida]

Industry foresees rising returns from China, Asean in coming years; Tourist Court urged amid safety concerns, crackdown on gangs
A rare piece of good news awaits Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today: the Tourism and Sports Ministry is set to upgrade projected tourism revenue for 2015 to Bt2.2 trillion.

Tourism Minister Somsak Pureesrisak, who will meet with the prime minister today to present his plans on how to achieve the goal, believes tourism will remain buoyant over the next two years, amid increasing inflows of Japanese and Chinese visitors in light of ongoing conflicts between the two countries.

Tourism revenue is expected to reach Bt2 trillion in 2014, up from the previous Bt1.8 trillion forecast.

"Tourist safety will be on the national agenda," said the minister, who yesterday asked the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to crack down on mafia gangs in Phuket.

Pattaya would be the next target area, as gangsters are now involved in businesses that affect tourists, particularly jet-skis and taxis. He acknowledged that Hong Kong had warned its people to be careful of travelling to the two cities. "That is not good for the country," he said.

Under the plan, Thailand aims to be a tourism hub in Asean, setting out to draw more quality tourists and to encourage them to stay longer. To facilitate this, the proposed Tourist Court must be set up.

Full Story: The Nation

Campaign to target foreign mafia in Phuket
The authorities plan to crack down on foreign mafia gangs who victimised tourists in Phuket and threaten the attractiveness of Thailand's top tourist destination.
Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak visited the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday to seek help in taking action against foreign criminals.

"We have received many complaints, some of them from foreign embassies," Somsak said.

Several complainants had said mafia-style figures forced tourists into unlicensed taxis and charged a much higher rate than normal.

Somsak said many Russians hired Thais as nominees to run restaurants, souvenir shops, and beach-bed rental services that had exploited tourists.

"These businesses have not generated any income for Thailand. Most, if not all, money goes to the mafia gangs' pockets. Their intimidation techniques have also hurt Thailand's tourism," the minister said.

Somsak said his ministry and the DSI would organise a joint operation in Phuket on July 25.

"If it's successful, we will use a similar approach in other tourist destinations such as Pattaya where mafia-style businesses are reportedly active," he said.

Full Story: The Nation

Thoughts: Looks like another case of Thailand blaming foreigners for its own problems when it should look closer to home for taxi mafia and tourist scammers. Mr Somsak seems more concerned about revenue for Thailand than tourist safety. Cracking down will achieve nothing until the "police" here stop taking bribes and actually start policing.

[Takiap]

You're missing the point Buksi. When it's Thai mafia ripping you off, your money is going into a Thai's pocket, rather than being transferred to Moscow.


At least those working for the DSI will be able to show this report to the various mafia ring leaders, and quite understandable demand more cash because their job is about to get a bit harder.


Nonetheless, it would be good for Thailand if they could stamp out the mafia problem because it is something which tourists soon become aware of.

[Nereus]

Somsak said his ministry and the DSI would organise a joint operation in Phuket on July 25.

First the airport will be closed to allow VIP flights to land. Then there will be a big escorted motorcade into town, making sure that as many people as possible are inconvenienced.
This will be followed by a big nosh up at the most expensive resort in Phuket. As it will by now be getting late in the day, another motorcade will storm along the beach road on the way back to the airport, which will have to be closed again while the VIP`s buy some duty free, and speak to the press about how they have fixed the mafia problem in Phuket.

[johnnyk]

Yawn.