The Phuket Marine Office has fined a jet-ski operator in Cherngtalay for operating without a licence. The man was found offering jet-skis on Bang Tao Beach without the necessary authorisation. Police were carrying out an inspection of jet-skis at the time and have fined the operator under the Navigation in Thai Waters Act.
According to a Phuket Express report, a number of jet-skis were found to have no licences, while others had licences that had expired. Police say anyone renting out jet-skis without a licence to do so will be fined up to 10,000 baht.
In addition, driving a jet-ski without a driving licence can incur a prison sentence of up to 6 months and/or a fine of between 1,000 and 10,000 baht.
Jet skis, and their owners, are a constant source of friction for both tourists and officials, often involved in reports of scams to Tourist Police.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express