A crackdown on jet-ski scam gangs in Phuket has resulted in the seizure of eight unlicensed jet-skis and the arrest of five operators.

The arrested individuals, four men and one woman, were renting out jet-skis without operating licences and committing other offences.

Visitors to Phuket have reported being charged unusually high rental fees for jet-skis, and some operators have accused customers of damaging the units, forcing them to pay exorbitant amounts of money for repairs.

The seizures took place on a beach in tambon Kamala of Kathu district and at a pier in tambon Koh Kaeo of Muang district.

The five suspects were handed over to the Kamala and Muang police stations.

Marine police carried out the arrests and seizures as part of efforts to address long-standing complaints from tourists about jet-ski scams in Phuket.