Foreign Tour Operators Flood Phuket, Taking Jobs from Locals

[webfact]

 

On October 9, a popular Facebook page, "Hodjung Phuket," shared a video clip revealing a foreign man openly selling tour packages to tourists from a street-side booth in Phuket.

 

The 23-second video shows the man serving customers at a tour counter near Kata and Karon beaches, an area known for attracting tourists. The post included a caption stating, “Who needs Thais? Selling tours ourselves! No wonder locals are upset.”

 

The video quickly sparked outrage online, with many expressing frustration over foreigners taking over jobs typically held by Thai locals.

 

Commenters voiced their concerns, some describing Phuket as a “lawless land” and pointing out that this issue has persisted for a long time. Others noted the growing presence of foreign operators in popular areas like Kata and Karon and questioned why authorities haven’t intervened.

Following the post, local reporters verified the location, identifying the tour counter near Karon Temple in Mueang district. There was no evidence of officials on-site enforcing regulations, raising questions about the oversight of such activities.

 

The clip prompted calls for relevant authorities to investigate and regulate these businesses, which are perceived as undercutting Thai operators and evading local laws.

 

This incident reflects a broader issue where unregulated foreign-run businesses in Phuket seem to be skirting regulations, while locals are left feeling sidelined.

 

The page’s post has since gained significant traction, with numerous users calling for immediate action to address the influx of foreign-run tour businesses in popular tourist areas, reported Daily News.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

-- 2024-10-10

 

[stevenl]

You want Chinese and Russians, this is what you get.

[JoePai]

 undercutting Thai operators

 

Is it possible the Thai operators are charging too much ?

[JimHuaHin]

Phuket, a Russian colony?

[stevenl]

3 hours ago, JoePai said:

 undercutting Thai operators

 

Is it possible the Thai operators are charging too much ?

I don't think the issue is undercutting, but they're taking away business because of their language.

[AAArdvark]

Deport a few them and the rest will get the idea

[khunpin]

Maybe it is because tourists prefer good service and cheaper rates over poor service and rip-offs. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 

Just a thought ... 

[Mburo]

I love it when Thais are ‘outraged’ ! 

[Richardsamui]

You can sell tours, but you can't guide them. 

A bit of jealousy I guess...? You need a Thai to accept the money for the sell.

Edited October 10 by Richardsamui

[Korat Kiwi]

Maybe the foreigners have bigger brown envelopes for Mr Plod 

[norsurin]

I haven't been in Phuket area since 2003..it was ok that time.

I have no plan to go back.I prefer Bangkok and hua-hin.

When i read about russians and other foreigners only mske problems in Phuket im not really shocked.

[arithai12]

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

You want Chinese and Russians, this is what you get.

 

This is part of what you get. The other things are buying condos and villas like peanuts, giving jobs to restaurants and hotels and taxi drivers... basically boosting PhuKet's economy to unseen level - even if I agree that for many of us it was better before. You know there is always two sides to a coin. 

btw, I didn't read the nationality, do you know it?

[sibarnes2000]

It doesn’t say where this particular company is operating illegally? Surely that is the important point. 
As a counter to this sort of article my Thai wife worked in the UK for 5 years. She took a job from the “locals” but why is this an issue? Perhaps Thailand needs to work out that question first before they get outraged and work out why it’s an issue?

[NemoH]

Sad this is what you get… 

the earlier residents migrating to Thailand are all into spending money in Thailand .. but when you open up borders n prostitute yourself to all people .. then you will get the worker class migrating into Thailand to earn money within your land and take advantage of all your resources from healthcare to childcare to transport n you will end up sponsoring a lot of social spendings to cater to this second group of people coming into your country …inflating all prices for your population..this will be what open migration does. Social spending to cater to large number of residents who will tax all your current resources … look at Singapore whose population grew from 4m to now 6m and all social structure is teetering on over use n breakdowns …,So it’s a penny wise pound foolish policy. Short term gains but long term pain … 

Edited October 10 by NemoH

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The video quickly sparked outrage online, with many expressing frustration over foreigners taking over jobs typically held by Thai locals.

Competition will not be tolerated... monopoly rule.

[kuzmabruk]

56 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I don't think the issue is undercutting, but they're taking away business because of their language.

There is no enforcement in Thailand.  That is why the Chinese and Russians love it here.  From micro-managed in their home countries to non-managed here.  Thai people appreciate it also, for example all the taxi drivers who don’t turn on their meters to tour bus operators who skirt safety checks with a small envelope and donation.  That is the Land of whatever

[Xonax]

Maybe no thais could fulfill the demand for russian and chinese speaking tour operators?

[mran66]

Maybe untapped  business opportunity for Chinese and Russian language skilled Thai tour sellers, organisers and guides then!

[jessicar]

What about the Russian girls in walkingstreet a go go?

They not taking over Thai jobs?

Wonder how they can get a work permit as russian prostitute's 

[Elkski]

Interesting tmigration dilemma for Thailand or any location.    Look at the US uproar. 

One one hand I can see tourism  spend $ rising because they found a friendly, professional who could explain everything and make the sell in their native language.  

Competition would raise service.   If I was super rich and lived a fancy life I would sign up for changes or things overlooked that make my life better. 

[portisaacozzy]

at least 10000 Thi women are taking jobs from english people,in nail shops and cashiers. !!!!!!

[Hakuna Matata]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Commenters voiced their concerns, some describing Phuket as a “lawless land” and pointing out that this issue has persisted for a long time. Others noted the growing presence of foreign operators in popular areas like Kata and Karon and questioned why authorities haven’t intervened.

 

Yes, probably Russian or Ukrainian. They are above the law because they have a lot of money to bribe the local authorities. As well as Chinese mafia in Phuket, including Singapore mafia.

 

Stricter visa rules are necessary!

 

 

[ronster]

I thought they could sell tours etc from a shop , but they couldn't take people on the tours as it had to be done by Thai staff 🤔

[Zack61]

4 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Phuket, a Russian colony?

Resulting from their Special Military Operation. 
Never to be surrendered back to the Thai people. 

[818Pilot]

The solution is so simple and why they can’t figure it out so perplexing.

 

Take a big bus, start rounding them all up, put them in a deportation center and when they’ve got a plane full, which should take about 30 minutes, have a huge photo opp in typical Thai style and deport them. 
 

Rinse and repeat a few times and others should get the hint . 

[Sig]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Commenters voiced their concerns, some describing Phuket as a “lawless land” and pointing out that this issue has persisted for a long time.

"This issue", could be the issue of Phuket having been a "lawless land" for a long time. I know a Thai woman, now a Colonel in the army, who, some years ago, dated the son of the Mayor of Phuket. She left him due to how uneasy she felt with the level of lawlessness involving his family and Phuket. She didn't feel safe at all with the knowledge and experiences she found herself surrounded by. Some of the stories I heard are truly mind-numbing. That place has been the epitome of lawlessness for a VERY long time. It isn't anytime soon about to become the world-class family resort area that Pattaya is so renowned for! 😇

[madmitch]

If the business is legal and the foreigners selling the tours have work permits then they are doing nothing illegal. No different to to the many foreign owned dive shops that have been operating for years.

 

Many Russians prefer to deal in their own language 

[MalcolmB]

11 minutes ago, 818Pilot said:

The solution is so simple and why they can’t figure it out so perplexing.

Take a big bus, start rounding them all up, put them in a deportation center and when they’ve got a plane full, which should take about 30 minutes, have a huge photo opp in typical Thai style and deport them. 
 

Rinse and repeat a few times and others should get the hint . 

And build a wall and get Mexica to pay for it.

[CLW]

Is selling tours illegal for foreigners?

[BarraMarra]

12 minutes ago, 818Pilot said:

The solution is so simple and why they can’t figure it out so perplexing.

 

Take a big bus, start rounding them all up, put them in a deportation center and when they’ve got a plane full, which should take about 30 minutes, have a huge photo opp in typical Thai style and deport them. 
 

Rinse and repeat a few times and others should get the hint . 

Its the same problem in the UK  818 with migrants crossing the English Channel turn one boat away a day later another1 takes there place.