German To Be Deported Over No Work Permit

[baabaabobo]

PHUKET CITY: German architect Frank Witzel is awaiting deportation following his arrest on June 22 by Immigration officials. He was arrested for working without a work permit while on a building site in Patong, and for performing work prohibited to foreigners.

Witzel pleaded guilty to the charges in court in February. He was fined 1,000 baht and handed down a one-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years.

Witzel explained to the Gazette that the events that led to his deportation began with his company, Modern Architecture & Design, and its Patong View Talay project on the Patong hillside.

The project, built on land that Witzel owned on the hill opposite the Esso gas station on Phra Barami Rd, will consist of 14 apartments priced from 4.2 million to 18.6 million baht each.

Witzel, 52, had designed the project, but when it came time to renew his work permit at the beginning of the year, he ran into problems. He first tried to go to the Phuket Provincial Labor Office to renew the permit, he said, but it was closed due to a holiday.

He said that when he returned, he was told that the work permit had expired on the holiday that the office was closed and was told that he would have to apply for a new permit.

He relayed the information to his staff, who failed to submit the application.

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Once there, he pointed out where the pipes should be laid, but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Witzel faced a penalty of a 2,000-baht fine and two months in jail, but when he pleaded guilty, his penalty was reduced to 1,000 baht and one month in jail.

Since he had no criminal record his month in jail was suspended for two years, so he paid the fine and was released. He thought that would be the end of it, he said, but he was unclear about the rest of the legal ruling, Witzel said.

However, he still had to deal with Immigration regulations that state that any foreigner convicted of a crime is subject to deportation. According to the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522, Section 12, any foreigner who violates Ministerial regulations can be prevented from entering the Kingdom after being deported.

Witzel said he was never made aware of those regulations and was surprised when he was arrested again June 22, thrown in the Immigration detention facility and told that he would have to remain outside the country for at least two years.

His lawyers – and he has gone through three lawyers so far – have been in negotiations with Immigration officials to try to reduce his time out of the country, and Witzel has been told that he may be barred from entering Thailand ever again if the Immigration officials in Bangkok deem it so.

In the meantime, Witzel, who had a heart attack and bypass operation in Germany last year, was transferred out of the Immigration jail after spending six days in custody and into Mission Hospital, and finally released again on bond, awaiting deportation.

Witzel’s German business partner has bought out most of his interest in the Patong project and his architecture firm. Witzel said he is afraid he stands to lose a large investment if he is forced to stay out of Thailand.

From the Phuket Gazette

[mrtoad]

PHUKET CITY: German architect Frank Witzel is awaiting deportation following his arrest on June 22 by Immigration officials. He was arrested for working without a work permit while on a building site in Patong, and for performing work prohibited to foreigners.

Witzel pleaded guilty to the charges in court in February. He was fined 1,000 baht and handed down a one-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years.

Witzel explained to the Gazette that the events that led to his deportation began with his company, Modern Architecture & Design, and its Patong View Talay project on the Patong hillside.

The project, built on land that Witzel owned on the hill opposite the Esso gas station on Phra Barami Rd, will consist of 14 apartments priced from 4.2 million to 18.6 million baht each.

Witzel, 52, had designed the project, but when it came time to renew his work permit at the beginning of the year, he ran into problems. He first tried to go to the Phuket Provincial Labor Office to renew the permit, he said, but it was closed due to a holiday.

He said that when he returned, he was told that the work permit had expired on the holiday that the office was closed and was told that he would have to apply for a new permit.

He relayed the information to his staff, who failed to submit the application.

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Once there, he pointed out where the pipes should be laid, but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Witzel faced a penalty of a 2,000-baht fine and two months in jail, but when he pleaded guilty, his penalty was reduced to 1,000 baht and one month in jail.

Since he had no criminal record his month in jail was suspended for two years, so he paid the fine and was released. He thought that would be the end of it, he said, but he was unclear about the rest of the legal ruling, Witzel said.

However, he still had to deal with Immigration regulations that state that any foreigner convicted of a crime is subject to deportation. According to the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522, Section 12, any foreigner who violates Ministerial regulations can be prevented from entering the Kingdom after being deported.

Witzel said he was never made aware of those regulations and was surprised when he was arrested again June 22, thrown in the Immigration detention facility and told that he would have to remain outside the country for at least two years.

His lawyers – and he has gone through three lawyers so far – have been in negotiations with Immigration officials to try to reduce his time out of the country, and Witzel has been told that he may be barred from entering Thailand ever again if the Immigration officials in Bangkok deem it so.

In the meantime, Witzel, who had a heart attack and bypass operation in Germany last year, was transferred out of the Immigration jail after spending six days in custody and into Mission Hospital, and finally released again on bond, awaiting deportation.

Witzel’s German business partner has bought out most of his interest in the Patong project and his architecture firm. Witzel said he is afraid he stands to lose a large investment if he is forced to stay out of Thailand.

From the Phuket Gazette

Sounds like he was stitched up to me.

[JimsKnight]

I agree, how he even got a work permit for working as an engineer when its prohibited (along with almost any craft/trade related skills) is open to question too.

[Maestro]

...how he even got a work permit for working as an engineer when its...is open to question too.

I can’t see anything in the news report to indicate that he had a work permit as an engineer.

--

Maestro

[bino]

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Definitely sounds like the development partner wanted him out - stitched him up.

...how he even got a work permit for working as an engineer when its...is open to question too.

He relayed the information to his staff, who failed to submit the application.

Considering that he had staff, probably more likely that he had a work permit as a company director.

[khall64au]

Refer to news report:

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Generally, most foreigners in above criterias legally specify profession on work permits as CONSULTANTS.

[toolonginexile]

"development partner" and "German business partner" identical???

[dr_Pat_Pong]

PHUKET CITY: German architect Frank Witzel is awaiting deportation following his arrest on June 22 by Immigration officials. He was arrested for working without a work permit while on a building site in Patong, and for performing work prohibited to foreigners.

Witzel pleaded guilty to the charges in court in February. He was fined 1,000 baht and handed down a one-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years.

Witzel explained to the Gazette that the events that led to his deportation began with his company, Modern Architecture & Design, and its Patong View Talay project on the Patong hillside.

The project, built on land that Witzel owned on the hill opposite the Esso gas station on Phra Barami Rd, will consist of 14 apartments priced from 4.2 million to 18.6 million baht each.

Witzel, 52, had designed the project, but when it came time to renew his work permit at the beginning of the year, he ran into problems. He first tried to go to the Phuket Provincial Labor Office to renew the permit, he said, but it was closed due to a holiday.

He said that when he returned, he was told that the work permit had expired on the holiday that the office was closed and was told that he would have to apply for a new permit.

He relayed the information to his staff, who failed to submit the application.

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Once there, he pointed out where the pipes should be laid, but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Witzel faced a penalty of a 2,000-baht fine and two months in jail, but when he pleaded guilty, his penalty was reduced to 1,000 baht and one month in jail.

Since he had no criminal record his month in jail was suspended for two years, so he paid the fine and was released. He thought that would be the end of it, he said, but he was unclear about the rest of the legal ruling, Witzel said.

However, he still had to deal with Immigration regulations that state that any foreigner convicted of a crime is subject to deportation. According to the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522, Section 12, any foreigner who violates Ministerial regulations can be prevented from entering the Kingdom after being deported.

Witzel said he was never made aware of those regulations and was surprised when he was arrested again June 22, thrown in the Immigration detention facility and told that he would have to remain outside the country for at least two years.

His lawyers – and he has gone through three lawyers so far – have been in negotiations with Immigration officials to try to reduce his time out of the country, and Witzel has been told that he may be barred from entering Thailand ever again if the Immigration officials in Bangkok deem it so.

In the meantime, Witzel, who had a heart attack and bypass operation in Germany last year, was transferred out of the Immigration jail after spending six days in custody and into Mission Hospital, and finally released again on bond, awaiting deportation.

Witzel’s German business partner has bought out most of his interest in the Patong project and his architecture firm. Witzel said he is afraid he stands to lose a large investment if he is forced to stay out of Thailand.

From the Phuket Gazette

Sounds like he was stitched up to me.

Me too

[Carmine6]

Is there some reason not to renew work permits early? For example, if you went early is the expiration date then based on the date of renewal rather than the original date of expiration?

[retiredusn]

PHUKET CITY: German architect Frank Witzel is awaiting deportation following his arrest on June 22 by Immigration officials. He was arrested for working without a work permit while on a building site in Patong, and for performing work prohibited to foreigners.

Witzel pleaded guilty to the charges in court in February. He was fined 1,000 baht and handed down a one-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years.

Witzel explained to the Gazette that the events that led to his deportation began with his company, Modern Architecture & Design, and its Patong View Talay project on the Patong hillside.

The project, built on land that Witzel owned on the hill opposite the Esso gas station on Phra Barami Rd, will consist of 14 apartments priced from 4.2 million to 18.6 million baht each.

Witzel, 52, had designed the project, but when it came time to renew his work permit at the beginning of the year, he ran into problems. He first tried to go to the Phuket Provincial Labor Office to renew the permit, he said, but it was closed due to a holiday.

He said that when he returned, he was told that the work permit had expired on the holiday that the office was closed and was told that he would have to apply for a new permit.

He relayed the information to his staff, who failed to submit the application.

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Once there, he pointed out where the pipes should be laid, but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Witzel faced a penalty of a 2,000-baht fine and two months in jail, but when he pleaded guilty, his penalty was reduced to 1,000 baht and one month in jail.

Since he had no criminal record his month in jail was suspended for two years, so he paid the fine and was released. He thought that would be the end of it, he said, but he was unclear about the rest of the legal ruling, Witzel said.

However, he still had to deal with Immigration regulations that state that any foreigner convicted of a crime is subject to deportation. According to the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522, Section 12, any foreigner who violates Ministerial regulations can be prevented from entering the Kingdom after being deported.

Witzel said he was never made aware of those regulations and was surprised when he was arrested again June 22, thrown in the Immigration detention facility and told that he would have to remain outside the country for at least two years.

His lawyers – and he has gone through three lawyers so far – have been in negotiations with Immigration officials to try to reduce his time out of the country, and Witzel has been told that he may be barred from entering Thailand ever again if the Immigration officials in Bangkok deem it so.

In the meantime, Witzel, who had a heart attack and bypass operation in Germany last year, was transferred out of the Immigration jail after spending six days in custody and into Mission Hospital, and finally released again on bond, awaiting deportation.

Witzel’s German business partner has bought out most of his interest in the Patong project and his architecture firm. Witzel said he is afraid he stands to lose a large investment if he is forced to stay out of Thailand.

From the Phuket Gazette

Sounds like he was stitched up to me.

Me too

###### cry baby!!!He knew the risk and all was ok until caught now its They They They, Two ways legal or not legal he was not........Have fun at home.............

[teacup]

He dug his grave with his own shovel…..can’t say I feel sorry for him

[britmaveric]

Thai Partner I'd suspect!!!

[Prakanong]

The other thread about this has it stating it was his Farang business partner stitching him up

[hgvneil]

Cause he was,set up big time..."dug his own grave"???? crap.

[Naam]

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Once there, he pointed out where the pipes should be laid, but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”.

[jtp]

Refer to news report:

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Generally, most foreigners in above criterias legally specify profession on work permits as CONSULTANTS.

With that much money involved,someone in immigration will be eating well tonight.....

[Phil Conners]

Of course he was stitched up. It's back to the old saying: Never invest more in Thailand than you can walk away from.

[teacup]

Cause he was,set up big time..."dug his own grave"???? crap.

Oh please! He may ,or may not, had been set up toward the end of the story, but I would assume he knew all about the risks involved of going into this type of business as a foreigner in Thailand.

“Land development” – without a proper work permit because he knew he couldn’t get one

“He had designed the project” – act #2 – performing an architectural works

“He was inspecting the layout of the pipe” – act #3 – performing a civil engineering works

He was doing all above with the disguised under “a consultant”

At 52 yrs old with that much money, how dumb can you be? It’s his own greed at the beginning and may be a bad choice of partner, that brought his own disaster downfall toward the end.

[astral]

but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

Work permits are the domain of the Labour Dept, not immigration.

It all smells very fishy to me.

[baabaabobo]

but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

Work permits are the domain of the Labour Dept, not immigration.

It all smells very fishy to me.

Agreed! Sounds like a classic stitch-up to me.

[mrtoad]

Cause he was,set up big time..."dug his own grave"???? crap.

Oh please! He may ,or may not, had been set up toward the end of the story, but I would assume he knew all about the risks involved of going into this type of business as a foreigner in Thailand.

“Land development” – without a proper work permit because he knew he couldn’t get one

“He had designed the project” – act #2 – performing an architectural works

“He was inspecting the layout of the pipe” – act #3 – performing a civil engineering works

He was doing all above with the disguised under “a consultant”

At 52 yrs old with that much money, how dumb can you be? It’s his own greed at the beginning and may be a bad choice of partner, that brought his own disaster downfall toward the end.

So you agree then that this is morally and ethically OK? It appears that he was legal, and then........well you know the rest of the story.

Teacup, you're not the "other business partner are you?"

[mrtoad]

PHUKET CITY: German architect Frank Witzel is awaiting deportation following his arrest on June 22 by Immigration officials. He was arrested for working without a work permit while on a building site in Patong, and for performing work prohibited to foreigners.

Witzel pleaded guilty to the charges in court in February. He was fined 1,000 baht and handed down a one-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years.

Witzel explained to the Gazette that the events that led to his deportation began with his company, Modern Architecture & Design, and its Patong View Talay project on the Patong hillside.

The project, built on land that Witzel owned on the hill opposite the Esso gas station on Phra Barami Rd, will consist of 14 apartments priced from 4.2 million to 18.6 million baht each.

Witzel, 52, had designed the project, but when it came time to renew his work permit at the beginning of the year, he ran into problems. He first tried to go to the Phuket Provincial Labor Office to renew the permit, he said, but it was closed due to a holiday.

He said that when he returned, he was told that the work permit had expired on the holiday that the office was closed and was told that he would have to apply for a new permit.

He relayed the information to his staff, who failed to submit the application.

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Once there, he pointed out where the pipes should be laid, but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Witzel faced a penalty of a 2,000-baht fine and two months in jail, but when he pleaded guilty, his penalty was reduced to 1,000 baht and one month in jail.

Since he had no criminal record his month in jail was suspended for two years, so he paid the fine and was released. He thought that would be the end of it, he said, but he was unclear about the rest of the legal ruling, Witzel said.

However, he still had to deal with Immigration regulations that state that any foreigner convicted of a crime is subject to deportation. According to the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522, Section 12, any foreigner who violates Ministerial regulations can be prevented from entering the Kingdom after being deported.

Witzel said he was never made aware of those regulations and was surprised when he was arrested again June 22, thrown in the Immigration detention facility and told that he would have to remain outside the country for at least two years.

His lawyers – and he has gone through three lawyers so far – have been in negotiations with Immigration officials to try to reduce his time out of the country, and Witzel has been told that he may be barred from entering Thailand ever again if the Immigration officials in Bangkok deem it so.

In the meantime, Witzel, who had a heart attack and bypass operation in Germany last year, was transferred out of the Immigration jail after spending six days in custody and into Mission Hospital, and finally released again on bond, awaiting deportation.

Witzel’s German business partner has bought out most of his interest in the Patong project and his architecture firm. Witzel said he is afraid he stands to lose a large investment if he is forced to stay out of Thailand.

From the Phuket Gazette

Sounds like he was stitched up to me.

Me too

###### cry baby!!!He knew the risk and all was ok until caught now its They They They, Two ways legal or not legal he was not........Have fun at home.............

retiredusn, I suggest that you read the full details of the post before you post such benign drivel in future.

Edited July 11, 2007 by mrtoad

[jchen]

Chinese proverb: 'Talk does not cook rice.' Ethics, trustworthiness, and respect happen in real life and between people, not in a press release.

How much more obvious could it be? This German's partner just flat stitched him up him. The German was not stupid, he got blindsided, then 'screwed, blued, and tatooed' by the Thai BPP (back pocket patrol.) SameO SameO country wide, any given day.

Consider him very very lucky. If it had been Chiang Rai, the German's press release would have simply stated that he had been found dead (for some stupid reason) then forgotten.

Good luck farang, wherever you are.

[retiredusn]

PHUKET CITY: German architect Frank Witzel is awaiting deportation following his arrest on June 22 by Immigration officials. He was arrested for working without a work permit while on a building site in Patong, and for performing work prohibited to foreigners.

Witzel pleaded guilty to the charges in court in February. He was fined 1,000 baht and handed down a one-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years.

Witzel explained to the Gazette that the events that led to his deportation began with his company, Modern Architecture & Design, and its Patong View Talay project on the Patong hillside.

The project, built on land that Witzel owned on the hill opposite the Esso gas station on Phra Barami Rd, will consist of 14 apartments priced from 4.2 million to 18.6 million baht each.

Witzel, 52, had designed the project, but when it came time to renew his work permit at the beginning of the year, he ran into problems. He first tried to go to the Phuket Provincial Labor Office to renew the permit, he said, but it was closed due to a holiday.

He said that when he returned, he was told that the work permit had expired on the holiday that the office was closed and was told that he would have to apply for a new permit.

He relayed the information to his staff, who failed to submit the application.

On February 3, he was called out to the work site by his development partner to answer questions about where pipes should be laid. At first Witzel declined since he had no work permit, he said, but his partner assured him it would be a fast job, and he drove out to the construction site.

Once there, he pointed out where the pipes should be laid, but suddenly found himself confronted by Immigration officers who had driven out to the site to do a “spot inspection”. Unable to produce his work permit, Witzel was taken to the Immigration Office in Phuket City and charged with working without a permit.

He was also charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect.

Witzel faced a penalty of a 2,000-baht fine and two months in jail, but when he pleaded guilty, his penalty was reduced to 1,000 baht and one month in jail.

Since he had no criminal record his month in jail was suspended for two years, so he paid the fine and was released. He thought that would be the end of it, he said, but he was unclear about the rest of the legal ruling, Witzel said.

However, he still had to deal with Immigration regulations that state that any foreigner convicted of a crime is subject to deportation. According to the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522, Section 12, any foreigner who violates Ministerial regulations can be prevented from entering the Kingdom after being deported.

Witzel said he was never made aware of those regulations and was surprised when he was arrested again June 22, thrown in the Immigration detention facility and told that he would have to remain outside the country for at least two years.

His lawyers – and he has gone through three lawyers so far – have been in negotiations with Immigration officials to try to reduce his time out of the country, and Witzel has been told that he may be barred from entering Thailand ever again if the Immigration officials in Bangkok deem it so.

In the meantime, Witzel, who had a heart attack and bypass operation in Germany last year, was transferred out of the Immigration jail after spending six days in custody and into Mission Hospital, and finally released again on bond, awaiting deportation.

Witzel’s German business partner has bought out most of his interest in the Patong project and his architecture firm. Witzel said he is afraid he stands to lose a large investment if he is forced to stay out of Thailand.

From the Phuket Gazette

Sounds like he was stitched up to me.

Me too

###### cry baby!!!He knew the risk and all was ok until caught now its They They They, Two ways legal or not legal he was not........Have fun at home.............

retiredusn, I suggest that you read the full details of the post before you post such benign drivel in future.

Suggest that you read between the lines ...........

[Maestro]

“Land development” – without a proper work permit because he knew he couldn’t get one

“He had designed the project” – act #2 – performing an architectural works

“He was inspecting the layout of the pipe” – act #3 – performing a civil engineering works

He was doing all above with the disguised under “a consultant”

Assuming that the news article is correct, we know that he was “charged with working without a permit” and “charged with performing work prohibited to foreigners – specifically, working as an engineer and architect”. There is no mention of what his expired work permit was for. For all we know it was for manager or consultant or another permitted occupation.

“...he was called out to the work site to answer questions about where pipes should be laid... he pointed out where the pipes should be laid...”. In my opinion this could easily fit the category of consulting work, but since he had no work permit, this is beside the point, except that the second charge might perhaps not have stood up in court if he had not admitted to them.

It smells strongly of a stitch-up to me. Surely, the drawing showed clearly where the pipes have to go and he was called to the site as a ruse.

It seems unusual, or perhaps an error in the news report, that Immigration police did the inspection and arrest. Surely, they are not in charge of enforcing labour laws. He also was not on overstay; if he was on an extension of stay for employment he had 7 days to leave the country after the expiration of his work permit.

--

Maestro

[teacup]

Cause he was,set up big time..."dug his own grave"???? crap.

Oh please! He may ,or may not, had been set up toward the end of the story, but I would assume he knew all about the risks involved of going into this type of business as a foreigner in Thailand.

“Land development” – without a proper work permit because he knew he couldn’t get one

“He had designed the project” – act #2 – performing an architectural works

“He was inspecting the layout of the pipe” – act #3 – performing a civil engineering works

He was doing all above with the disguised under “a consultant”

At 52 yrs old with that much money, how dumb can you be? It’s his own greed at the beginning and may be a bad choice of partner, that brought his own disaster downfall toward the end.

So you agree then that this is morally and ethically OK?

Nope, just merely stated what appeared "to me" to be the bones of this soup, based on the report

He knew what he was doing since the beginning, that he also knew he couldn't do it legally. But due to his own greed so he then went around the book of laws and got the work permit somehow and I would have to assume, disguised it as "a consultant" hence this seems to be the case of many farangs here in thailand with the professional background that fall under "prohibited occupations"

In his own mind, it was legal...well until he got caught

Teacup, you're not the "other business partner are you?"

I would never dreamed of partnering with the German. Well I don't like them....loud, obnoxious, and rude!

And why I would want to do a realestate business in thailand eventhough I'm a thai, when I can do it even better and easier in the US

[jackr]

Where's your compassion guys, the poor bugger's been done over? It's not like he's an axe murderer for Pete's sake.

[mrtoad]

Cause he was,set up big time..."dug his own grave"???? crap.

Oh please! He may ,or may not, had been set up toward the end of the story, but I would assume he knew all about the risks involved of going into this type of business as a foreigner in Thailand.

“Land development” – without a proper work permit because he knew he couldn’t get one

“He had designed the project” – act #2 – performing an architectural works

“He was inspecting the layout of the pipe” – act #3 – performing a civil engineering works

He was doing all above with the disguised under “a consultant”

At 52 yrs old with that much money, how dumb can you be? It’s his own greed at the beginning and may be a bad choice of partner, that brought his own disaster downfall toward the end.

So you agree then that this is morally and ethically OK?

Nope, just merely stated what appeared "to me" to be the bones of this soup, based on the report

He knew what he was doing since the beginning, that he also knew he couldn't do it legally. But due to his own greed so he then went around the book of laws and got the work permit somehow and I would have to assume, disguised it as "a consultant" hence this seems to be the case of many farangs here in thailand with the professional background that fall under "prohibited occupations"

In his own mind, it was legal...well until he got caught

Teacup, you're not the "other business partner are you?"

I would never dreamed of partnering with the German. Well I don't like them....loud, obnoxious, and rude!

And why I would want to do a realestate business in thailand eventhough I'm a thai, when I can do it even better and easier in the US

So that pretty much somes it up? I suppose greed is only a failing of the Farangs and the fact that he probably did have some legality doesn't make any difference? And of course he is German - I'm British, but i seriously wouldn't use a generalised sweeping statement like yours - loud, obnoxious and rude to describe the Germans. In fact I find the Germans to be a pretty hospitable, honest and friendly race. All of our countries have bad uns.If i said something like that about Thais how would you feel?

Your last sentence is pure class. I think we know that it is far easier for a Thai who has settled overseas to make money in Western countries because they are attributed some form of protection through the law and also able to compete in any industry without restriction, discrimination and harrasement. Maybe our countries should start to look at reciprocal regulations for Thais who settle?

I'm not going to get into a slanging match, but seriously, you can't tell me that this guy wasn't stitched up by someone, can you?

[Maestro]

So you agree then that this is morally and ethically OK?

...He knew what he was doing since the beginning, that he also knew he couldn't do it legally...

Teacup, you post is out of order, for two reasons:

1. You modified the quoted text of another member’s post by writing your own text into the quote. This is not how to use the reply function.

2. You say that the arrested German knew from the beginning that what he was doing was illegal. This is a false statement. The news article says clearly that he had a valid work permit until the day before his arrest and therefore he had been working legally until that day.

Please refrain from making false, slanderous and libellous allegations.

--

Maestro

[mrtoad]

So you agree then that this is morally and ethically OK?

...He knew what he was doing since the beginning, that he also knew he couldn't do it legally...

Teacup, you post is out of order, for two reasons:

1. You modified the quoted text of another member’s post by writing your own text into the quote. This is not how to use the reply function.

2. You say that the arrested German knew from the beginning that what he was doing was illegal. This is a false statement. The news article says clearly that he had a valid work permit until the day before his arrest and therefore he had been working legally until that day.

Please refrain from making false, slanderous and libellous allegations.

--

Maestro

Seconded, I also assume that the Racist element is also out of order isn't it?