Thaivisa exclusive: Farang firefighter is Australian - and he's out battling another huge blaze!

[webfact]

Thaivisa exclusive: Farang firefighter is Australian - and he's out battling another huge blaze!

 

 

A volunteer farang firefighter who has wowed the Thais has been revealed as 55 year old Peter Ferdinand from Melbourne.

 

Thaivisa managed to contact his wife but it was only a short interview as it was all hands to the pumps at their northern Thai home.

 

"Peter is out battling another fire," said Nittaya Charee Tuesday afternoon. "It is a big one". She was unable to say much as she was about to go and help her husband.

 

But she had time to tell us that Peter is not a firefighter by trade. 

 

"He is an engineer," said Nittaya, "but he has had a lot of training".

 

The couple married five years ago and have lived together her for all that time.

 

And for those that might be concerned about Peter's work status that might land him in a work permit jam Nittaya had the perfect response:

 

"Peter works in my company," she said. "It's a jam factory".

 

Then off she went to help him battle the latest blaze causing smog and hardship to the people of Thailand.

 

Earlier Thai netizens were full of praise for Peter for doing more than most Thais to battle forest fires.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-03-06

[zaphod reborn]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Peter works in my company," she said. "It's a jam factory".

But. under archaic Thai labor laws, it is still a work permit violation, because he is only authorized to work in her jam factory, not at other locations.  Thai labor law was never brought current to include workers who are assigned to field work or digital nomads who can work from any location with an internet connection, including working from home.  A great guy, trying to help his adopted home, and still the Thais don't understand how their legal system and government screw the farang at every opportunity.

[HLover]

So he pours jam and other fruit puree onto the flames?

[HooHaa]

and so thaivisa gets hung up on the work permit issue again.

[Just1Voice]

I think the point some are trying to make is that "technically", under stupid Thai law, they could give him a problem for working as a fireman, even as a volunteer, if they authorities so wished to.  

[zaphod reborn]

58 minutes ago, HooHaa said:

and so thaivisa gets hung up on the work permit issue again.

No, only to show how archaic the law is, and how it needs to be changed.  He will never be charged for a violation as long as he is not taking a job from a Thai, not flaunting his occupation, and doesn't offend a politically-connected Thai.  Unfortunately, publicizing his voluntary firefighting activities and getting attention on social media is risky behavior.  I wish him the best. 

[Rc2702]

Jam factory could mean he gets people or things out of jams. Fire being one of them.

Fairplay Peter 

[yellowboat]

14 minutes ago, zaphod reborn said:

No, only to show how archaic the law is, and how it needs to be changed.  He will never be charged for a violation as long as he is not taking a job from a Thai, not flaunting his occupation, and doesn't offend a politically-connected Thai.  Unfortunately, publicizing his voluntary firefighting activities and getting attention on social media is risky behavior.  I wish him the best. 

You are correct.  The labor laws here are a joke.  From making poor migrants responsible for registration to building boats in ones back yard.  Thailand is able to look at a gift horse in right in the mouth, unless it is buying dinner, booze or other gifts.  Helping putting out fires, teaching EV conversions, building experimental aircraft, developing specialized electronics all bad.  It is a backward country, but those things listed are within its capability but must be done with politically correct Thainess. 

[chainarong]

1 hour ago, zaphod reborn said:

But. under archaic Thai labor laws, it is still a work permit violation, because he is only authorized to work in her jam factory, not at other locations.  Thai labor law was never brought current to include workers who are assigned to field work or digital nomads who can work from any location with an internet connection, including working from home.  A great guy, trying to help his adopted home, and still the Thais don't understand how their legal system and government screw the farang at every opportunity.

Well said

[chainarong]

36 minutes ago, Just1Voice said:

I think the point some are trying to make is that "technically", under stupid Thai law, they could give him a problem for working as a fireman, even as a volunteer, if they authorities so wished to.  

When U do this sort of stuff first they do is take your name, address exctra, you are now a part of the team, in this case a bush fire fighting team , You just don't go out fighting fires willy nilly there has to be control, so how does this work within their ancient laws????

[balo]

Some officials will be worried now

"He is working illegally , not good for the image of Thailand. "

[the guest]

I wouldn't even bother working in Thailand, it's too alien and there will always be a dark cloud over your head in the form of immigration, just waiting to use any excuse to check you out of the country. Better to come on holiday or retire.

[Zack61]

Does this make him the best Australian in Thailand?  We have a best German and now possibly the best Australian. 

Come on the rest of us let’s be the best other nationalities and fight it out in the finals for the best farang title. A Best of the best finale. 

[lvr181]

15 hours ago, yellowboat said:

done with politically correct Thainess. 

And that includes 'robbing' your average (not monetarily rich) Thai citizens as well. 

[lvr181]

In 2004 just after the time the tsunami hit Thailand, I believe some rescue/aid workers were sent packing because they did not have the 'required' work permits? True or false?

[Italian guy]

17 hours ago, zaphod reborn said:

Thais don't understand how their legal system and government screw the farang at every opportunity

They do!

[Neeranam]

14 hours ago, the guest said:

I wouldn't even bother working in Thailand, it's too alien and there will always be a dark cloud over your head in the form of immigration, just waiting to use any excuse to check you out of the country. Better to come on holiday or retire.

I've had no problems working in for over two decades.

Worked in multiple places on one WP, with no hassle. You sound paranoid, why on earth would immigration want to kick me out???

[Neeranam]

17 hours ago, zaphod reborn said:

But. under archaic Thai labor laws, it is still a work permit violation, because he is only authorized to work in her jam factory, not at other locations.  Thai labor law was never brought current to include workers who are assigned to field work or digital nomads who can work from any location with an internet connection, including working from home.  A great guy, trying to help his adopted home, and still the Thais don't understand how their legal system and government screw the farang at every opportunity.

Nonsense, do you realize how many digital nomads work here with no problem from the ministry of labor?

How many Thais could work or retire in your country so easily, or come as a tourist with visa on entry?  

Every country has archaic laws that are never enforced.

[johng]

37 minutes ago, lvr181 said:

sent packing because they did not have the 'required' work permits? True or false?

True.

[lvr181]

3 minutes ago, johng said:

True.

  Guess that shows (to this modern westerner) how insecure Thai governments were (or, may still be)?

 

When ur the big fish (AKA, PM) in a small pond it must be tough to believe or trust that some 'outsiders' may be able to contribute meaningfully to the benefit of the pond. 

[dallen52]

I fell foul in this area several years ago. 

Working for Ford at Rayong, I was introduced to some notable causes and The Blue oval being corporate citizens globally certainly support volunteers and their community work. 

 

Finished up driving several of my engineers to northern Thailand to do work at their local Wat. 

Also met with people from Opportunity Foundation in Nangrong who do work with victims of crime and trafficking and abuse. 

 

Until I was informed that the action was illegal and my APEC card could be canceled... 

But it was OK to volunteer contributions to them!!!!! 

 

I would have thought that a country like this was only too happy to have volunteers without the burocratic BS. 

[Morakot]

18 hours ago, zaphod reborn said:

it is still a work permit violation

 

No, walking into the push and pouring water over flames is not a violation of Thai Labour Law. Neither is going out and catching a snake or biting your dog.

 

Signing up as a volunteer firefighter at your local fire brigade however would be a violation. 

 

Yes, people might be hung up about the Labour law here, but this case has nothing to do with it.

Edited March 7, 2018 by Morakot

[zaphod reborn]

7 minutes ago, Morakot said:

 

No, walking into the push and pouring water over flames is not a violation of Thai Labour Law. Neither is going out and catching a snake or biting your dog.

 

Signing up as a volunteer firefighter at your local fire brigade however would be a violation. 

 

Yes, people might be hung up about the Labour law here, but this case has nothing to do with it.

That's nice, but your lay understanding of Thai labor law is completely misguided.  I have been a labor attorney in Thailand for over 10 years, representing companies both locally and globally in labor negotiations including appearing in hearings at the Ministry of Labor.

 

Quote

"Work" means engaging in work by exerting energy or using knowledge whether or not in consideration of wages or other benefits.

 http://www.mol.go.th/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/WORKING_OF_ALIEN_ACT_2551_DOE.pdf

 

As a foreigner in Thailand, you must have a work permit to engage in "work".  Yes, the way the statute is written, you technically are required to have a work permit the minute you set foot in the Kingdom, because merely breathing or thinking can be construed as "work".  That is why I wrote the statute is archaic, and that foreigners are not prosecuted unless they compete with a Thai for a job, flaunt their work activities, or cause problems for politically-connected Thais.

[Srikcir]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

"Peter works in my company," she said. "It's a jam factory".

For which he may be in violation of labor laws.

Depends on what he does in the company and whether his work was misrepresented in any work permit. Notice that his wife didn't say he has a work permit to work in her company.

 

Foreigners who engage in work different to that which is registered in their work permit will be fined up to 100,000 THB. Under Thai law, some foreigners are prohibited from working in certain professions such as manual work, agriculture and secretarial work. In total there are 39 occupations prohibited to foreigners.

For example Post #107:

I have a work permit. On it it says "Manager, Supervising Chef". I was arrested by undercover police for carrying a box of potatoes to the kitchen which he said is manual labor reserved for Thais. 

[zaphod reborn]

57 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Nonsense, do you realize how many digital nomads work here with no problem from the ministry of labor?

How many Thais could work or retire in your country so easily, or come as a tourist with visa on entry?  

Every country has archaic laws that are never enforced.

What is nonsense?  Digital nomads are on shaky ground, but unless they flaunt their activities, compete with a Thai for a job, or piss off a politically-connected Thai, they don't have to worry.  There were 2 raids in Chiang Mai involving "digital nomads".

 

In the PunSpace raid, Thai authorities were alerted that there were many foreigners in an internet cafe.  All were rounded up and questioned.  Only those who couldn't produce passports were held.  No charges were brought, after it was determined that the labor statute wasn't sufficiently current to deal with the digital nomad worker.

 

In the Riverside Condo raid, Thai authorities responded to a complaint about possible spying by agents for the Chinese government.  It turns out that the first floor of the condo had been converted into an office used by online teachers for a company offering lessons to Chinese children.  The result was pretty much the same as PunSpace, except that the company owner was charged with business registration and illegal conversion of residential to business use.

 

The bottom line is that digital nomads are technically in violation of the law, but MOL realizes the statute is too archaic to deal with their situation, and, as long as no public disturbance or complaint is made involving the foreigner, they will not be bothered.  Although not a digital nomad case, compare the sex coach from Belarus in Pattaya who is being held and will probably be deported for violating the terms of her visa (working while on a tourist visa).  

[shy coconut]

17 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

I think the point some are trying to make is that "technically", under stupid Thai law, they could give him a problem for working as a fireman, even as a volunteer, if they authorities so wished to.  

If being the operative word.

Let's wait until the arrest and deportation of this guy before we get all hysterical

about work permit laws in Thailand.

[zaphod reborn]

1 minute ago, shy coconut said:

If being the operative word.

Let's wait until the arrest and deportation of this guy before we get all hysterical

about work permit laws in Thailand.

He's not going to be arrested or deported.  Possibly, he could be harassed and shaken down for a bribe.  I know of a retiree in Chiang Mai who was doing remodeling on his home.  His neighbor didn't like the noise and was connected to a local official.  He got shaken down for a THB 100,000 payment to avoid any problems based on engaging in work without a work permit and in violation of his visa.  That's what's wrong with the law.  Not that there will be prosecutions, but it empowers corrupt government officials to shake down foreigners for bribes.

[Classic Ray]

I think probably the only place where this becomes a problem is on the pages of Thaivisa. In real life, nobody worries about volunteers who don't take jobs from Thais.

[shy coconut]

13 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

For which he may be in violation of labor laws.

Depends on what he does in the company and whether his work was misrepresented in any work permit. Notice that his wife didn't say he has a work permit to work in her company.

 

Foreigners who engage in work different to that which is registered in their work permit will be fined up to 100,000 THB. Under Thai law, some foreigners are prohibited from working in certain professions such as manual work, agriculture and secretarial work. In total there are 39 occupations prohibited to foreigners.

For example Post #107:

I have a work permit. On it it says "Manager, Supervising Chef". I was arrested by undercover police for carrying a box of potatoes to the kitchen which he said is manual labor reserved for Thais. 

What was the outcome of your arrest?

And why are spuds packed in boxes in Thailand whereas everywhere else

packs them in bags?

[DM07]

I hope, he will never see the day, but...if he gets injured or any other problem occurs, I guess, he will face the full Thai "thankfulness"!