J.C on immigration cooking the retiree frog....

[Momofarang]

What does JC stand for?

[digibum]

16 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

Do you really think that the type of online business matters?

 

So you are saying that we can sell certain physical things in Thailand but not other things? This is for non-online business. Selling any type of things in Thailand without work permit is illegal.

 

I'm saying that there are plenty of very powerful people already engaged in the FOREX business who would have an interest in putting pressure on the cops to make sure rogue FOREX trading businesses don't start popping up in Thailand, sure. 

 

And, again, it's a business illegal for foreigners to engage in.  YouTubing is not. 

 

Quote

Similarly,  whether that business those Chinese guys are doing is illegal or not in their home country doesn't contravene Thailand laws because the customers are Chinese and not Thai-related. A company may be legal in country A but not legal in country B. 

This seems rather absurd.  Obviously the Thai police are going to be more interested in someone running an online porn business (which would be illegal in Thailand) than someone selling pot holders on eBay. 

 

Quote

See the similarities?

 

No, what I see is someone that avoided posting a link to a single YouTuber being arrested and deported for working in Thailand. 

 

Isn't it funny that despite your assertions, Thailand always seems to crack down on businesses that run afoul of Thai laws rather than going after people like JC who would be much easier to catch due to the fact that he's posting the evidence of his so-called crimes on one of the biggest social media platforms in the world and often does live streams where he tells people exactly where he's at? 

 

Why did they raid a bunch of Chinese guys doing FOREX when they could have gotten 20-Seconds in Thailand, Thailand Rob?

 

Again, just post one link to a YouTuber getting arrested or deported.  Just one. 

[digibum]

9 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Most people here don't seem to realize that Thailand doesn't care whether your foreign company is registered or unregistered (i.e. illegal) in a foreign country because every country's laws are different.

 

What Thailand cares is if you want to do physical or online business in Thailand , the company must be registered in Thailand and you have the work permit to do so.

 

Similarly, a Thai national (not a foreigner) can do online business selling Thai products or promoting Thailand as a retirement 'heaven' like what JC did, does that mean this Thai national doesn't need to register his company in Thailand just because it is online and he doesn't need to pay taxes?

 

And your legal opinion of Thai law carries weight because . . . .?  Are you a lawyer?  Why are you so intimate with Thai labor laws? 

 

[Leaver]

18 hours ago, fhickson said:

you joking right?

 

these people cant even figure out how to process a tm30 correctly and you want "them" whomever that is to conduct some sort of organized manhunt for one guy and have some sort of superior coordinating it?

Seems they can solve crimes pretty quick when Thailand's tourism reputation is being tarnished. 

 

A bit hard to grab a Burmese guy and say, "You are JC" in this case.  ????

 

It would be handed to police, not investigated by immigration.  I gather he has a valid visa, and is not an overstay, so it's not an immigration issue. 

[Leaver]

19 hours ago, digibum said:

How is he working illegally? 

At the top of the list of occupations reserved for Thai's is, "Labor."

 

"Labor" is a broad term, purposely used by Thai authorities, for any situation where they may need to call on the use of this broad term to fit certain circumstances.

 

Setting up a video camera.  Writing some "Q Cards."  Rehearsing.  Performing.  Downloading. Editing.  Uploading. Promoting.  This is "Labor."  Is it not? 

 

Even if he was not being paid, you still need a work permit for volunteering in Thailand.

 

Then, even if he is legally "working" in Thailand, with all the correct visas and permits, there is the issue of some of the content matter of this particular clip. 

[moontang]

The forex guys were violating a list of laws regarding financial institutions and selling securities in LOS, just like some of the expat financial advisors.. even if they are certified, and even if their investments are not a scam. 

Edited December 12, 2019 by moontang

[bluesofa]

I know this topic has been going a while, but can I ask about the phrase 'cooking the retiree frog'.

What exactly does it mean? Is it an adapted American phrase by chance, as I'm a Brit?

 

[Leaver]

32 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

I know this topic has been going a while, but can I ask about the phrase 'cooking the retiree frog'.

What exactly does it mean? Is it an adapted American phrase by chance, as I'm a Brit?

 

See Post #41.

[digibum]

8 hours ago, Leaver said:

At the top of the list of occupations reserved for Thai's is, "Labor."

 

"Labor" is a broad term, purposely used by Thai authorities, for any situation where they may need to call on the use of this broad term to fit certain circumstances.

 

Setting up a video camera.  Writing some "Q Cards."  Rehearsing.  Performing.  Downloading. Editing.  Uploading. Promoting.  This is "Labor."  Is it not? 

 

Even if he was not being paid, you still need a work permit for volunteering in Thailand.

 

Then, even if he is legally "working" in Thailand, with all the correct visas and permits, there is the issue of some of the content matter of this particular clip. 

Labor could also mean jerking off.  It’s a catch-all to leave authorities open to charging anyone if they choose to do so.  
 

That said, show me precedent where a YouTuber has been charged for making videos.  I’m completely unaware of a single arrest.  
 

I’m just saying that all of these people talking about an all-out investigation and facial recognition just sound silly when it’s really not a crime Thai cops want to go after.  
 

It’s comical and ridiculous.  
 

Now, might he <deleted> off some big shots over what he said?   Sure.  But I would expect any retaliation to come in the form of a sudden review of his visa, a lot of hassles on his next renewal, maybe some checkup visits from immigration, etc.  

 

Thailand is not going to risk going viral worldwide as hostile to vloggers just to punish JC.  There are people with hundreds of thousands of subscribers that post very nice videos about Thailand.  Saying that vlogging is a deportable offense would cause a tsunami level backlash.  

[moontang]

23 minutes ago, digibum said:

Labor could also mean jerking off.  It’s a catch-all to leave authorities open to charging anyone if they choose to do so.  
 

That said, show me precedent where a YouTuber has been charged for making videos.  I’m completely unaware of a single arrest.  
 

I’m just saying that all of these people talking about an all-out investigation and facial recognition just sound silly when it’s really not a crime Thai cops want to go after.  
 

It’s comical and ridiculous.  
 

Now, might he <deleted> off some big shots over what he said?   Sure.  But I would expect any retaliation to come in the form of a sudden review of his visa, a lot of hassles on his next renewal, maybe some checkup visits from immigration, etc.  

 

Thailand is not going to risk going viral worldwide as hostile to vloggers just to punish JC.  There are people with hundreds of thousands of subscribers that post very nice videos about Thailand.  Saying that vlogging is a deportable offense would cause a tsunami level backlash.  

Quite a few promoting the sex business, too.  There are catch all laws for computer related offenses, too, kind of like mail, wire, and conspiracy charges in the US.  Engaging in any type of protest, while in a foreign country, is rarely allowed.  The president of CMEC got herself banned from the immigration office for publicizing ridiculous waits...she was allowed to do her extension, though, but still, clearly came into their radar.

[digibum]

44 minutes ago, moontang said:

Quite a few promoting the sex business, too.  There are catch all laws for computer related offenses, too, kind of like mail, wire, and conspiracy charges in the US.  Engaging in any type of protest, while in a foreign country, is rarely allowed.  The president of CMEC got herself banned from the immigration office for publicizing ridiculous waits...she was allowed to do her extension, though, but still, clearly came into their radar.

Yep, that’s an entire separate issue and something I wouldn’t recommend.  Thailand is definitely not a place to bite the hand that feeds you.  ???? 
 

But by the same token, how hard do you think it would be for Thai authorities to figure out who some of the “anonymous” posters are here?   
 

Especially some of the folks that have been on here for years and have leaked all sorts of identifying info like location, nationality, marital status, type of visa, etc?   
 

Lean on TV owners or ISPs for IP address info and they can pinpoint your house/condo very easily.  
 

How many people have made derogatory comments about immigration?   How many people have said things about the PM? 
 

You don’t need to put your face on video to be easily identified.  
 

Most people are practicing OpSec at an amateur level.  

[moontang]

Almost all of us have stated something that could be construed as damaging to the tourist industry, but the one newspaper does it almost everyday...the truth is that the truth can be problematic.  The authorities jailing foreign journalist is terrible PR, but there might be little sympathy for some of the sex industry bloggers, and it would be pretty easy to fall under the computer crimes act..I have read about bookmakers and dealers ultimately going down for using the electronic device to commit the crime, not the crime itself.  There is a proper visa and WP for any journalist in Thailand.  So without that, you might be excluding yourself from what little protection you may have had.

Edited December 12, 2019 by moontang

[Leaver]

17 hours ago, digibum said:

 It’s a catch-all to leave authorities open to charging anyone if they choose to do so.  

Correct. 

 

So take your chances with authorities at your own peril. 

 

In this particular case, it's not just working illegally that is the issue, it's also the content of the clip.

 

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by Leaver

[Leaver]

17 hours ago, digibum said:

I’m just saying that all of these people talking about an all-out investigation and facial recognition just sound silly when it’s really not a crime Thai cops want to go after.  

Try criticizing the Thai Monarchy on a Youtube clip, from within Thailand, and let me know how you go.  ????

[Felt 35]

On 11/20/2019 at 11:52 AM, DannyCarlton said:

I admit, I didn't watch it. Life's too short. Have watched his vlogs before. A complete BS artist.

None so blind as the one who dont want to see......????

[digibum]

2 hours ago, Leaver said:

Try criticizing the Thai Monarchy on a Youtube clip, from within Thailand, and let me know how you go.  ????

 

Yes, but you are violating an entirely different law which the Thais do take very seriously.  They don't care about the medium (Facebook, YouTube, email, blog, print, speech, etc), or whether or not the person is receiving compensation, they care about the content of the message. 

 

Your example is like me saying, the chances of you getting hassled over jaywalking are minimal in Thailand.  And then you come along and say, "Well, try jaywalking while firing a gun in the air and let me know how that goes." 

 

It's a silly comparison. 

 

[balo]

On 11/21/2019 at 4:12 PM, sunnyboy2018 said:

He puts bad spelling and bad grammar on his you tube front page which is deplorable and his high pitched whine is very irritating. I hate these kind of videos the contents of which could be covered in a text document and read quickly.

But he earns money on the Youtube clicks, that's why he can afford to live in Thailand. 

 

[Leaver]

20 hours ago, digibum said:

 

Yes, but you are violating an entirely different law which the Thais do take very seriously.  They don't care about the medium (Facebook, YouTube, email, blog, print, speech, etc), or whether or not the person is receiving compensation, they care about the content of the message. 

 

Your example is like me saying, the chances of you getting hassled over jaywalking are minimal in Thailand.  And then you come along and say, "Well, try jaywalking while firing a gun in the air and let me know how that goes." 

 

It's a silly comparison. 

 

Firstly, my point is, authorities can still find you from just a Youtube clip, or issue warrants for you that are held at boarders, if you try to enter Thailand.  It seems you agree with that.

 

Secondly, it seems you agree that making Youtube clips, for payment, whilst inside Thailand, is "work" coming under the broad definition of "labor." 

 

The contentious part of this is whether or not you will be caught, and whether or not the authorities even care to find you, arrest you, detain you, and deport you.

 

I agree with you, the chances of being arrested and deported for working illegally for making a Youtube clip, for payment, is slim.  However, if the content of that clip is critical of Thailand, or the Thai government, then you have painted a target on yourself, and the chance of being caught increase considerably.  This is why I gave the example of the Thai monarchy, 

 

This is the first, and probably the last clip, I will watch from this JC guy.  From what I have read on this thread, he makes many Youtube clips on Thailand, and is indirectly paid for doing so.  I would think a prolific maker of Youtube clips about Thailand would eventually come under notice, but that is just my opinion.

 

Whether or not the content of this clip steps over the line for Thai authorities is not really the issue when they can be rid of you for simply working illegally.  Easier to prove and less paperwork for authorities.  They would probably also blacklist as well.

 

Would there be a public uproar about it, probably.  Would the Thai authorities care about the public uproar, no.  They would simply be making an example out of this JC guy. 

 

I see people riding around without a helmet. It's illegal, but the chances of being caught are slim.  Ride without a helmet and you risk being fined.  Right with a helmet, no risk at all. 

 

It's up to the individual to weigh up the risks here, but Thailand is not a place you want to take much risk in.