To follow up from Treborz's journal  http://www.thailandfriends.com/index.php?name=Journal&view=journal&juid=40033&jid=67003 

 

well done T!! I don't get Bravo - will watch these shortly. : )

very interesting. saw so many people set up on Pha Ngan for cannabis. Just not worth sitting smoking at Haad Riin at all.

Have to say though; if the cameras hadn't been there for the jet ski incident, that marine chief would have gone straight through JJ.

It's definitely not the Thailand I've seen the last few days.. western media *enter here the roll eyes icon*

but Toma, the whole idea of the series is to show what trouble CAN happen; yes, often in a sensationalist (and in the case of the jet ski, semi staged) way, but also to serve as a warning to people. In 2 years on Samui, I never once accepted a joint from anyone at a gig or party; sure, once back at the house or where we kipped on Pha Ngan, but never when a copper could be behind the next tree!!!

Those tourist police are awesome.... and unpaid.. I had a giggle when the Aussie called his dad to come get him. It's also clear that Thai locals and police really ignite these situations. A totally corrupt country like Thailand is simply not the place to **** around.. Period!! Even good people are scammed and threatened on a daily basis by the authorities (including Thais). Tourist are not helping but the police are the true scum in Thailand.

Uh-Oh.... I better switch my October holiday BBK-Phuket plans!!! ....toooooooo South -Central L A.

Looks safer for an inocent fellow like me!

very tragic stories......

I thought this was all very interesting, even if some of it was staged. It's good to think in these terms when you are just a visitor in a foreign country. I spend a lot of time in Mexico, and I can tell you, I watch my step at every turn. I spend my time in the border towns, and the drug war occurs in broad daylight, so you can imagine what happens behind the scenes sometimes. I'm sure Thailand is a wonderful place, but it's best to be cautious in another country until you understand the lay of the land, culture and people.

That JJ guys might be a bit of a crook, but i believe his jetski WAS damaged, so why not claim money for it? And why DID the sailor run if he didn't break it? 35k might be a bit high though, but i do think he had the right to claim money for repairs.

That damage seemed quite big to have been there at the time of rental, without sailor boy paying attention to it.

Thank you for posting videos Tonia. Phuket and specially Patong is notorious for Thai police scams. Bar girls work with the police to bust farangs for ganja. I haven't been in Phuket for about 5 years, sounds like the situation there is much worst than used to be. The Thai mafia is very active in Phuket, Pee Pee Island, and Krabi. Krabi used be OK, never had any problems.

jj the jet ski guy===karma

its a ***** when it rolls back on top of you

i personally did not like seeing this part of thailand.

i know its their i know it happens but its not the thailand i love

the police coming down on JJ makes me feel a lot better now about what i have seen

To be honest I don't see how JJ was scamming people, that much dmg would have been real noticeable especially given that old matey said it was right on his foot so he would know, given that he's a royal marine who's apparently in the clear he has a real guilty look about him the entire way through.

Also re: it being fake, tfs2m for the producers comments.

Tonia thank you for the video.

the brit kid did the damage. but for 35k you can but a new jet ski.

i mean my bike repair never cost me more than 300 baht... even if the damage requires special care it cant be over 3000

the girl and her bf... well stupid is as stupid does. maybe she'll learn not to handle other peoples ****. Hey can you hold this gun for me? Thanks.

The dude who got his head kicked in... som nam na. i wanted to be there so i can deck him too.

For all you guys who think the marine did the damage, have a read of scam no. 4

http://www.bangkokscams.com/undercover/top-10-scams-in-thailand.html

Perhaps the guy saw it, but why would he think he was going to pay for it after he used it, in a normal situation things like that don't happen. An honest and naive guy being set up by a scammer for sure.

wow that is a good show -- very good journal post SB -- thx for sharing )