KBA, Stop the Dirty Kiteboarding Politics in Hua Hin!

[seasides]

Me knows, many beachgoers don't like the kitesurfers too much, but well they occupy a certain area and the rest is free of them.

Over the years kitesurfing enjoyed quite a boom here - by now there are 11 or so schools. 6 belong to KBA Kiteboarding Asia, the remaining 5 are independent smaller schools.

And those 5 are at war with KBA, especially now since it's owner E. asked the Hua Hin authorities to collect a fee from all schools to make sure all of them obey to security and safety guidelines...

And KBA wants the money.

Meaning, KBA wants to be paid to do police work, aka, destroy the 5 independent schools.

I saw the papers KBA submitted to the authorities. Many pages, detailled, but the authorities didn't bite so far. All they're asking for now are better safety standards, insurance protection and so on.

That's difficult for the smaller schools without aggressive backing.

Whenever a new school/shop opens, you can be sure that within a short time a new KBA shop opens right there as well.

Nothing against competition, but stop these war-like politics of destruction KBA.

We enjoy the sport, there's enough room for everyone, and in the end you'll reap what you sow.

[GLCQuantum]

I'm not a Kitesurfer myself but it seems fairly normal in the world of Thai business just exactly what is happening there...

A big(ger) company opens up a nice new place of interest and other smaller ones see a little opportunity to do the same (nothing wrong with that). The bigger company aint happy one bit that potential customers are choosing the smaller company over them, thus the bigger company, using there superior power/finances tries to shit on the smaller company and put them out of business.

Just about sums it up I think...?

[seasides]

... except that KBA is not a Thai business and E. not Thai...

[buksida]

Technically all businesses are Thai as a farang cannot own a more than 49% of anything here.

[Winkie]

... is asking for safety standard and insurance shitting on the Kiteboarding Businesses? Or are the businesses shitting on unsuspecting Kiteboarders/tourists, by not providing safety and insurance?

I know nothing about this dispute, but from your own report, it seems that KBA want to 'clean up' the industry. Wouldn't it be nice if the same was done for Jetskis and Banana boats too.

A little competition is normal in every country, in every business, and how nice for consumers to have a choice - Thailand is not communist after all.

Maybe your post was not so clear, but, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen", springs to mind.

[Winkie]

Technically all businesses are Thai as a farang cannot own a more than 49% of anything here.

Buksi, that's not true, my business in Bangkok is 100% Foreign-owned. This is what, apart from other regulations, the Foreign Business Act, and Alien Business licences are all about. Although I do accpet that it's Highly unlikely that KBA or other Kiteboarding schools receive approval from either the BOI or MOC.

[seasides]

... is asking for safety standard and insurance shitting on the Kiteboarding Businesses? Or are the businesses shitting on unsuspecting Kiteboarders/tourists, by not providing safety and insurance?

I know nothing about this dispute, but from your own report, it seems that KBA want to 'clean up' the industry. Wouldn't it be nice if the same was done for Jetskis and Banana boats too.

A little competition is normal in every country, in every business, and how nice for consumers to have a choice - Thailand is not communist after all.

Maybe your post was not so clear, but, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen", springs to mind.

Well you're most certainly right, but the methods applied with threats and intimidation remind more on a war-zone by now.

Point is, why wants a private company be paid by the authorities to do policing work.

It's not about safety standards. It's about using every possible means to kill competitors.

Would't be surprised if we see some violence aka damage of property soon.

[Winkie]

Well you're most certainly right, but the methods applied with threats and intimidation remind more on a war-zone by now.

Point is, why wants a private company be paid by the authorities to do policing work.

It's not about safety standards. It's about using every possible means to kill competitors.

Would't be surprised if we see some violence aka damage of property soon.

I suggest that you be a little careful making unfounded allegations on an open forum. Even if what you is true, it may not work in your favour.

At this stage, you refer only to a proposal from a Private Company, to enforce regulations. Do you really think that Thai Authorities will give such control to a private company? Especially if run by Foreigners? Is there any other precedent in Thailand?

Competition can be tough in Thailand, "It's a Jungle out there" is more appropriate here than it is in a quaint little English Village, if you have set up business here, this certainly should have been one your most earliest considerations

If you really believe that violence will occur, please take care, if others really are stooping to 'below the law' tactics (and we do not really have reason to know that at this stage), I suggest you to refrain from a similar level retaliation, that certainly would be a 'road to ruin'.

[seasides]

Are you trying to shoot the messenger winkie?

[Winkie]

Not shooting anyone Seasides, nor taking sides. Just evaluating what I read and suggesting caution.

Its not clear from your OP if you are simply a messenger, or an involved party, seems you have quite detailed inside knowledge

You are certainly reading too deep into my message, are you reading too deep into the KB situation too?

[seasides]

I have nothing to do with any school whatsoever, but am a longtime user/kiter down there since the first days, trying to support both sides/both shops, and it's just a pity how they are at each others throat by now.

This recent attempt though by the big boys to get policing authority is a last straw.

I'd like to know what other kiters think about it, down there it's pretty tense, so to say, with "regulations" creeping into this fun sport...

[surfer]

But the thing we have to understand is that every school from now have to be registered with their own company, pay tax and have workpermit. It makes the kite business more organized. You can't just put up a tent on the beach anymore and call it a school and give a shit in pay taxes, have insurance, rescue equipment etc.

I think the beach will be safer for all users and we don't end up with 30 schools on the beach where it's no more space for other beach users. Look at Mui Ne in Vietnam, it's space only for kiters.

[seasides]

That's true surfer, up to the point when you're asked to pay as a kiteboarder to be allowed to surf there.

Will you pay a school/shop a weekly/monthly/yearly fee?

You know of any other beaches where you as a kiteboarder have to pay?

Well I'll be heading to Suan Son miltary beach...

[Winkie]

There you go.

That's sounds reasonable, all KB Schools have to be fully legal, nothing at all wrong with that.

Can anyone see any problem with that?

[Winkie]

Hi Seasides

Where was that little gem about paying to Kite Surf in your original post, you specifically said the following:-

All they're asking for now are better safety standards, insurance protection and so on.

Which are fine moral conditions, if that's difficult for the smaller enterprises, then they really should not be practicing. Deaths occur from Jetski accidents every year in Thailand, should swimmers fear unregulated wind surfers smacking them in the head with a 50kph Surfboard?

"Sorry about your child, you know its quite difficult for us smaller operators to provide insurance, so we don't bother"

Bit of a cold and selfish approach don't you think? And your uptight because someone would like to "improve the safety, the organisation, and the overall image of the sport?