Jet ski damage scam

Cómo funciona esta estafa

This is one of Thailand's most notorious and aggressive scams, especially common on Pattaya Beach and Patong Beach in Phuket. You rent a jet ski for 30-60 minutes. When you return it, the operator 'discovers' scratches, dents, or cracks on the hull and demands 10,000-50,000 THB in repair costs. The damage was already there before you rented. Multiple operators and sometimes police officers work together to pressure you. Tourists who refuse may be surrounded by several men, have their passport held, or be driven to an ATM. The local police have historically been unhelpful or complicit. Some operators have even been recorded pre-damaging their own equipment.