Two British Nationals Arrested for Illegally Working at Nightclub in Krabi

[kwilco]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Krabi – A British man and a British woman were arrested at a night club in Ao Nang, Krabi on Tuesday (April 2nd) after they were found working illegally.

Krabi Immigration told the Phuket Express that they inspected a night club in the Ao Nang sub-district in Krabi City. They found two foreigners were working at the night club.

 

1.Miss KAREN, 37, British national, was working as an MC.

Mr. Gareth, 45, British national was working as a DJ.

Both of them were unable to present legal work permits.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

PHOTO: Naewna

 

Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-04-03

 

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so many foreigners just think they can work regardless - lots of those involved in music and the main culprits are gyms and dive groups

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

The current PM wants to bring global stars to Thailand one name he mentioned was Taylor Swift would she need a WP ! 

 

Bruno Mars was just here...  It's a fairly safe bet that they have people lined up to sort that out very quickly... OR, they receive an exemption (for obvious reasons). 

 

These reports on the other hand are something entirely different - most likely just people having fun, but getting blamed and arrested for 'doing a job'.... 

 

 

[kwilco]

10 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

The current PM wants to bring global stars to Thailand one name he mentioned was Taylor Swift would she need a WP ! 

Yes - he would - you get a performer's visa - it states what type of work and where. All visiting artists have to get one.

 

 

long term resident acts need 

They must hold a non-immigrant visa;

They must be employed by a hotel or an entertainment company in Thailand, which has paid-up registered capital of not less than 20 million baht.

[transam]

2 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Yes - he would - you get a performer's visa - it states what type of work and where. All visiting artists have to get one.

"He"................🤭

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, ronster said:

Also what about high profile Dj's that have been booked to play from abroad for 1-2 nights in the country ? Is there a special shirt term visa they get ? 

Yes...if they bother.

[kwilco]

8 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Bruno Mars was just here...  It's a fairly safe bet that they have people lined up to sort that out very quickly... OR, they receive an exemption (for obvious reasons). 

 

These reports on the other hand are something entirely different - most likely just people having fun, but getting blamed and arrested for 'doing a job'.... 

 

 

Short term visa is required -  "Application to stay in Thailand in the case of actors, singers, musicians, or performance directors for occasional performances." This visa also requires a sponsoring organization in Thailand to request it on your behalf

 Bruno Mars would have had a sponsoring organization in Thailand to apply for this visa on his behalf. This sponsor is usually the event organizer or venue hosting the concert and has documented financial status.

[Liverpool Lou]

24 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

The current PM wants to bring global stars to Thailand one name he mentioned was Taylor Swift would she need a WP ! 

Yes, she would but there are special visa arrangements for visiting entertainers.

EDIT: As others mentioned

[kwilco]

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Yes...if they bother.

pre-Covid the police would cruise the live music bars in Pattaya to check for "regular" foreign performers. Usually they would be forewarned and stay off stage.

Venues like Hard Rock would require performers had visas.

 

One of the reasons you don't see major festivals of western acts is the huge amount of paperwork required for the musicians and road crew.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

What about their employers also be charged? Or is there no law that they violate by hiring foreigners without work permits  - and knowingly. Did these foreigners just sneak in to these establishments and begin to work without any Thai employer awareness? 

The various jobs related especially to the entertainment industry are filled by the owners who surely must know requirement that foreigners need work permits. I don't see how recent reported foreigners being arrested for lack of work permits that otherwise require Thai employer pre-approval be able to work without employer knowledge.

Without arresting Thai employers, the work permit system is a scam on foreigners.

companies employing foreign artists must hve a demonstrable financial status in align with immigration and Labour laws. THey also need a licence to put on performances.

the scam is the police ignoring the law and often there is a tea money system in place.

[kwilco]

52 minutes ago, Maitdjai said:

Don't ask too many questions… It's just confusing all those “Good Guys”,
when yelling
“deport, ban, and jail” all that “scum”. 😂
 

it's the same the world over - businesses employ immigrant workers and avoid all the paperworks and taxes so it increases their profitability.

In Thailand though businesses that rely on  (illegal) immigrant workers often have a special relationship with the local authorities. THis is fine until the higher eche;ons of power get involved or they don't pay their dues.

[PETERTHEEATER]

I do hope this wont affect the two rough-looking Eastern Europen gentlemen selling shwarmas in my local market in the grounds of the police station.....🤔

[ChipButty]

28 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Short term visa is required -  "Application to stay in Thailand in the case of actors, singers, musicians, or performance directors for occasional performances." This visa also requires a sponsoring organization in Thailand to request it on your behalf

 Bruno Mars would have had a sponsoring organization in Thailand to apply for this visa on his behalf. This sponsor is usually the event organizer or venue hosting the concert and has documented financial status.

They made a balls of it regarding that Russian band in Phuket a few months back

[tomazbodner]

8 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Too many foreigners that think they can do what they want in a foreign country. Just deport the ones not following the rules.

Why deport? If Thais do something illegal in their country, they get fined and sometimes thrown in prison. Why should foreigners be any different?

[MangoKorat]

8 hours ago, VBer said:

Another stupid British feeling entitled to do work restricted to Thais or without work permit. Deportation needed.

Another stupid post by a member feeling entitled to make inaccurate racist comments. Ban needed.

[Alex80]

9 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Too many foreigners that think they can do what they want in a foreign country. Just deport the ones not following the rules.

Or maybe make more sensible rules?

Tbh the rules about working in Thailand are medioeval

[Bangkok Barry]

9 hours ago, VBer said:

Another stupid British feeling entitled to do work restricted to Thais or without work permit. Deportation needed.

 

The thing is, they might not have known. I'd guess that most countries are not paranoid about employing foreigners. I once stepped in to DJ at a place in Finland when the regular DJ broke his arm. There were no rules there about having to apply for a permit or face arrest because I was threatening the livelihood of locals. The usual mountain out of a molehill reaction that Thais excel so well at.

[kwilco]

35 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

They made a balls of it regarding that Russian band in Phuket a few months back

who did?

[kwilco]

8 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

The thing is, they might not have known.

e.g. false sense of entitlement.

 

It is roughly the same anywhere in the world - for instance, since BRexit British musicians wanting to work in the EU now have to sort out similar paperwork depending on which country. Imagine trying to organise a tour in Thailand or elsewhere with the main artists, crew, musicians admin transport etc etc... everyone needing a different visa or permit

[kwilco]

to DJ in Finland on UK passport - 

 You will likely need a visa to DJ in Finland for any purpose, even if it's for a short period and unpaid. This is because the UK is not part of the Schengen Area and Finland enforces border checks.

The specific type of visa you'll need depends on the nature of your DJing work. If it's paid, you'll likely need a work visa. If it's unpaid but for a specific event, you might need a short-stay visa.

[riclag]

Sounds like someone was a tad jealous of these  Brit falangs!

Maybe another falang envious of the competition !

Or somebody doesn’t like the owner.

 

[Harsh Jones]

6 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I feel soo much safer now, we all know Thais would be better at mixing western music  

That has nothing to do with it. There's bird sh** farang DJ's with legit papers.

[Bday Prang]

48 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Why deport? If Thais do something illegal in their country, they get fined and sometimes thrown in prison. Why should foreigners be any different?

"Deport and ban"   nas now become the virtue signalling war cry of the saintly geriatric keyboard warriors on here. Personally I find it rather pathetic. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

What about their employers also be charged? Or is there no law that they violate by hiring foreigners without work permits  - and knowingly. Did these foreigners just sneak in to these establishments and begin to work without any Thai employer awareness? 

The various jobs related especially to the entertainment industry are filled by the owners who surely must know requirement that foreigners need work permits. I don't see how recent reported foreigners being arrested for lack of work permits that otherwise require Thai employer pre-approval be able to work without employer knowledge.

Without arresting Thai employers, the work permit system is a scam on foreigners.

From the link:

Additionally, a Thai woman identified only as Ms. Warinthorn was presented as the club manager. She allegedly admitted to officers that the night club was illegally opened also. She was taken to the Ao Nang Police Station to face charges of opening an entertainment venue without legal permission

[Trip Hop]

25 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

The thing is, they might not have known. I'd guess that most countries are not paranoid about employing foreigners. I once stepped in to DJ at a place in Finland when the regular DJ broke his arm. There were no rules there about having to apply for a permit or face arrest because I was threatening the livelihood of locals. The usual mountain out of a molehill reaction that Thais excel so well at.

 

I don't think that they would be quite that naive but most probably never thought it would ever get to his stage either?  The most probable reason for it actually getting this far being the bar was doing well and jealousy caused someone else to file a complaint, so the BiB had to act.  Especially if any subsequent hush money claims were refused.   

[Bday Prang]

10 hours ago, TorquayFan said:

Is there a 'clampdown' under way ?

    just go back to sleep

[NativeBob]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

I do hope this wont affect the two rough-looking Eastern Europen gentlemen selling shwarmas in my local market in the grounds of the police station.....🤔

that's good one!

obviously someone snithced them, but what a <deleted> pussies are those 2!

Police can not just arrest whoever they want without written warrant or while at the crime scene. Imagine they jump into karaoke and arrest everybody who holds microphone? If I come to friendly disco and show few tricks on scratchers - would they arrest me? Piss off!

What is it "working as MC"? unless there's proven fact of money changing hands for certain activity it ain't no work!

[Bday Prang]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Some would be interested re this activity taking away jobs that Thai folks should have.

Well that would be a matter for the Thai authorities, Its hardly something for the elderly ex pats to get themselves all worked up about, 

[VBer]

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

Another stupid post by a member feeling entitled to make inaccurate racist comments. Ban needed.

Is the ban regarding racist comment needed there? Aseannow forum link I have not noticed your negative reaction to that post. Or antiracism applied only to certain nationalities?

[Maitdjai]

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

Yes - he would - you get a performer's visa - it states what type of work and where. All visiting artists have to get one.

 

 

long term resident acts need 

They must hold a non-immigrant visa;

They must be employed by a hotel or an entertainment company in Thailand, which has paid-up registered capital of not less than 20 million baht.

Exactly! In artist categories like “Bruno Mars”, or “Coldplay”, more as enough money is involved, to satisfy any participating instances.
Everything runs smooth and quick, and nobody would even dare to check anything about it.
For sure, it's an issue for those, often just only bellowing, 3rd class musicians, “performing” in every third bar in tourist hot spots, as a Live Music “event”. Too loud, and annoying, or too good, and too many customers. Both could be a problem nowadays.

[Trip Hop]

28 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

that's good one!

obviously someone snithced them, but what a <deleted> pussies are those 2!

Police can not just arrest whoever they want without written warrant or while at the crime scene. Imagine they jump into karaoke and arrest everybody who holds microphone? If I come to friendly disco and show few tricks on scratchers - would they arrest me? Piss off!

What is it "working as MC"? unless there's proven fact of money changing hands for certain activity it ain't no work!

 

This is Thailand, the police can and will do basically what they want.  A know of a Thai who used to run a small garden centre.  She came back from the wholesalers one day and her farang boyfriend of several years at the time proceeded to help her unload a few things from the pick-up.  A plain clothes officer took a photo and demanded 30000B hush money for him allegedly working even though money was obviously never going to change hands.  He refused and got locked up in IDC before being deported at his cost and blacklisted for 5 years.  This despite the best efforts of a lawyer.  Admittedly he didn't help himself with his big mouth but testimony not to assume that the law has to be followed in the same way  as it would be in farang land.

 

MC stands for Master of Ceremonies and is basically someone who hypes the crowd, ad-libs to the music and forms part of the overall performance of the DJ.  Their roots in Europe trace back to the rave/hardcore scene but are common in both the Drum & Bass and UK Garage scenes.