PATTAYA: An Irish tourist, on his first visit to Pattaya with two friends, was threatened with a long-bladed knife by one of a group of Thai men who hire out jet skis opposite Mike Shopping Mall.

In what is becoming an increasingly common occurrence in Pattaya, certain jet ski operators have taken a leaf out of the scam book made infamous by their Phuket cousins, and are almost daily extorting money for alleged damage to their property from tourists who hire out the vessels.

A local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, witnessed a violent confrontation recently between the scammers and tourists, where a large knife was pulled.

Read more: Thai Visa