Confirmation came through official reports posted online yesterday (Dec 18).
Leading the inspection team was Prawet Suphachai, Director of the Marine Department Region 5 office, joined by Phuket Marine Chief Natchapong Pranit.
As the crackdown, now in its fourth week, was ordered by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, present to oversee proceedings was Somkid Chokong, Advisor to the Phuket Governor.
The operators of the three unregistered jet-skis were charged under Section 9 of the Thai Navigation Act B.E. 2481, as amended by Section 60 (No. 14) B.E. 2535.
The operators were fined the maximum penalty of B10,000 per unregistered jet-ski, said an official report of the operation.
The operators were also warned that using the illegal jet-skis, including renting them out to tourists, was strictly prohibited until they complied with the law.
The inspection team also visited Bang Tao Beach yesterday, but no offences were reported there.
The inspection efforts yesterday follow the team “discovering” 18 illegal jet-skis being rented out to tourists at Koh Siray, east of Phuket Town on Tuesday (Dec 17).
The same fines and warnings were issued to the jet-ski operator there.
The inspections by Phuket marine officials, under the oversight of an official representative of the Phuket Governor, have of now resulted in 72 illegal jet-skis “discovered” being rented out to tourists.
According to official reports, the maximum fine of B10,000 per illegal jet-ski has been levied in each case, meaning officials have now netted B720,000 in fines in less than a month.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub