Foreign Tour Operators Flood Phuket, Taking Jobs from Locals

[eastlight]

3 hours ago, madmitch said:

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 

Stay in Russia then.

[OldmanJ]

You wanted many Chinese,Indians and Russians so exept the problems they bring along.

[sambum]

5 hours ago, sibarnes2000 said:

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?

 

From the post:-

 

"Following the post, local reporters verified the location, identifying the tour counter near Karon Temple in Mueang district."

 

I can recommend Specsavers! 🙂 

[Maitdjai]

7 hours ago, Sig said:

Of course, this is with the assumption of illegal work, which I don't even know this article was actually even truly talking about....
With that assumption, add a 5 or 10 year ban with that deportation. I think that would make a lot of people think twice before doing such stupid things, although, of course, it wouldn't deter all of them. I knew a Korean who risked their university education by teaching Korean part time at a local language school. She ended up banned and lost her study opportunities and wasted 3 years of study time at Thammasat. Another student, a Chinese girl that I knew, decided she would open a little Chinese restaurant with her Chinese boyfriend (both studying at Kasetsart Uni). They also got booted and lost the years of time they spent toward getting a uni degree. It made the foreign students in those universities think a lot more about trying to make a few extra baht while they were here for studies.
I remember back in the early 2000's (in Mae Sot) seeing trucks with cages on the back, loaded up (and I mean jam packed) with Burmese illegals being hauled back to Burma. They definitely didn't look thrilled with their situation. I'm sure some will just come back, but with their names being on the naughty list, I'd imagine it deterred a lot of others from trying to cross back in again.

So, I guess those students had still a good time.

Stupid laws, stupid prizes.

Move on!

Teaching the Korean language seems also to be reserved to Thais only. Lol.

I guess, to be on a "naughty list" is more the nightmare of the Farang  apologists and "wannabe-assimilated" old farts, calling themselfes "Expats".

But crying for deportation and decade long bans of their fellow "aliens"!

Btw, outside this self imagined

"center of the world", you can wipe your axxe with a TiT, 3rd class university degree. 

Even in Korea!

 

[suspectdevice]

10 hours ago, portisaacozzy said:

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

But it's not illegal in the uk....Unless they are there illegally!

Edited October 10 by suspectdevice
Amendment

[lordgrinz]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

There was no evidence of officials on-site enforcing regulations

 

I mean if we are going to split hairs, there are no officials actively enforcing any laws, rules, regulations anywhere in Thailand. Does the author actually leave their cubicle every once in a while? 

Edited October 10 by lordgrinz

[Karlik Pu]

Putinstan citizens are a threat to Thailand! It’s time to take steps to impose visa restrictions and sanctions  for puti-Russians who don’t respect Thai law and destroy the beautiful image of Thailand. 
Expell all putin thugs mafia from Thailand!

Support Ukraine!

[Karlik Pu]

16 hours ago, stevenl said:

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

The most disgusting is  when puti-Russian thugs  run illegally Cannabis /Ganja shops everywhere in Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai..

[Jonathan Swift]

16 hours ago, JoePai said:

 undercutting Thai operators

 

Is it possible the Thai operators are charging too much ?

You have it upside down. More likely that these guys are undercutting Thais and not fairly competing. That's what happens when you flood the market with underpriced services and products. You also can't trust people who do such things, they're more likely to misrepresent things and not honor their word. That's why we have strict immigration laws about work permits and visas. Anyone who wants to knows you can negotiate prices with the Thai tour operators. They are absolutely not "overcharging" unless you don't know enough to negotiate. If someone doesn't negotiate, then they are ok with the price and they pay, so nobody is losing business because of overcharging. I've never done business with anyone but legitimate tour businesses. If someone wants to run a legitimate business they can take the necessary steps for operating a business in Thailand. If they cheat the government then they're more likely to cheat their customers. The whole point of this is whether these vendors are operating legally, which is doubtful. 

[JeffersLos]

Because so many Thais are fluent in Russian and willing to do such a cr@p job.

[Sig]

14 hours ago, baansgr said:

So a foreigner working here legally on Phuket for 25 years, would lose your business to a Thai that has just arrived from Chiang Mai?

A Thai who had just arrived from Chiangmai is not a local....

[mdr224]

I dont go to phuket anymore because i have white skin, they would mistake me as russian and i know how the island feels about russians now

[Sig]

7 hours ago, Maitdjai said:

So, I guess those students had still a good time.

Stupid laws, stupid prizes.

Move on!

Teaching the Korean language seems also to be reserved to Thais only. Lol.

I guess, to be on a "naughty list" is more the nightmare of the Farang  apologists and "wannabe-assimilated" old farts, calling themselfes "Expats".

But crying for deportation and decade long bans of their fellow "aliens"!

Btw, outside this self imagined

"center of the world", you can wipe your axxe with a TiT, 3rd class university degree. 

Even in Korea!

 

Every country has laws that people agree or disagree on. I don't think it is an unusual law for students on study visas to be banned from working or opening/operating a business. The reason for their visa is study, not work. There are work visas and business visas for those purposes. Not sure why you may think that is a stupid law. If categories of visas are stupid, then just let everyone in for whatever purpose they desire?
You are apparently not well informed on university degrees and their usefulness. The Chinese girl who I mentioned, was in a program for a degree in Thai language. So, you'd esteem a degree in Thai language from any run of the mill European university over a Thai university just because of your perception of Thai education? There are a number of programs in Thailand that are very decent even on an international level. I even know of at least one program at a mid tier Thai university that is completely run by foreigners, from the Dean and Department Head to every professor, most of whom are members of a well respected (throughout the world and top level universities) international organization pertaining to their program. You need to look at specific programs if you care about an education in any specific field, which any meaningful employer would know. But if you only care about a piece of paper that says you finished uni, then I suppose your generalization would hold ok. I wouldn't say excellent programs is the norm for their international programs, but using such a broad brush to dismiss Thai university degrees altogether is about as informed and rational as the rest of your comment.

[Bday Prang]

19 hours ago, portisaacozzy said:

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

is that "globally"  or just in Phuket?

[crazykopite]

Problem is most Thais don’t sell they just gaze down at their mobile phones or chat to their friends,  over the years I’ve walked away from many booths frustrated at being ignored 

[crazykopite]

3 hours ago, mdr224 said:

I dont go to phuket anymore because i have white skin, they would mistake me as russian and i know how the island feels about russians now

My friend was on  one of the ferries the other day she said it was packed to the brim with Israeli people so it’s not just Russians who are leaving their homeland in the masses 

[Free the 115]

On 10/10/2024 at 1:48 AM, JoePai said:

 undercutting Thai operators

 

Is it possible the Thai operators are charging too much ?

Interesting theory. So the work sanctions applied by the Thai government don’t count if the wages are too high?

[Free the 115]

21 hours ago, eastlight said:

Stay in Russia then.

I was under the impression that work permits would only be issued for positions where a Thai could not do the job. 
cant see any specialist skills in selling seats on a minibus

[Maitdjai]

6 hours ago, Sig said:

Every country has laws that people agree or disagree on. I don't think it is an unusual law for students on study visas to be banned from working or opening/operating a business. The reason for their visa is study, not work. There are work visas and business visas for those purposes. Not sure why you may think that is a stupid law. If categories of visas are stupid, then just let everyone in for whatever purpose they desire?
You are apparently not well informed on university degrees and their usefulness. The Chinese girl who I mentioned, was in a program for a degree in Thai language. So, you'd esteem a degree in Thai language from any run of the mill European university over a Thai university just because of your perception of Thai education? There are a number of programs in Thailand that are very decent even on an international level. I even know of at least one program at a mid tier Thai university that is completely run by foreigners, from the Dean and Department Head to every professor, most of whom are members of a well respected (throughout the world and top level universities) international organization pertaining to their program. You need to look at specific programs if you care about an education in any specific field, which any meaningful employer would know. But if you only care about a piece of paper that says you finished uni, then I suppose your generalization would hold ok. I wouldn't say excellent programs is the norm for their international programs, but using such a broad brush to dismiss Thai university degrees altogether is about as informed and rational as the rest of your comment.

About the students: As long as they didn't run a kind of "Language School" enterprise, it's just the typical overreaction. Still, I don't think, they've been deported in cages and put on a "naughty list".

The basic question is, how many locals can teach the Korean language or even halfway decent English?
Foreign "NES" tourists, who finished a TEFL-crash course in Phuket are not a solution.

When I determine "stupid laws" in my personal view, it doesn't mean it's the correct choice to ignore or break the law.  Those young students surely got somehow along with the consequences.

But details help to clarify.
You didn't mention, that the student was attending a "degree in Thai language".
But, I ask myself, what is the degree? Master in translation? Master in Thai language history, the development of different dialects...Is it a master's or bachelor's "degree" course?

As long as dinosaurs are in charge, it continues with the one-step up, two-step back syndrome.

So, as you're partly agreeing about the average university degrees,
I'm curious about those completely "foreign-run" programs in the "mid-tier" universities.
 
The acceptance and efficiency within an ancient, traditional education-, bureaucracy-system, and the corresponding society are mediocre at most. Despite all mantras.

BKK is in Thailand, but Thailand is not only BKK.
 

[kiwikeith]

On 10/10/2024 at 6:31 PM, jessicar said:

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 

Thats been going on for years, so nothing has changed except I thing the Russian Mafia are not afraid in this country, and can hand out gifts much appreciated.

[StevieAus]

On 10/10/2024 at 11:42 AM, Richardsamui said:

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.

Don't they need a work permit to sell them? 

[NativeBob]

Who buys those junk tours? Every time we bought from thai it was disaster. They cheat on everything: seats on the bus, quality of the boat, tour guide that doesn't speak comprehendible English ... 

Buy tours from foreigners is even worse, esp. great white men and women. 

 

Just do home work and tour ourselves and if necessary join boat / mini-van. 

[snoop1130]

Tourist trap: Russian national caught peddling illegal tours in Phuket

 

 

Police in Phuket are investigating a Russian national accused of illegally selling tours to tourists at a kiosk in Karon.

 

A 23-second video posted online sparked outrage, with netizens criticising foreigners for allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens.

 

“The tour sales profession has been taken away by foreigners. Please ask the page to tell the relevant agencies to help investigate. There are a lot of them in Kata and Karon!”

 

Tourist Police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Ekkachai Siri, visited the kiosk on Patak Road near Wat Karon yesterday, October 10. Officers from Karon Police and the Tourism and Guide Business Registration Office Southern Region 2 joined the visit.

 

The Russian man, identified by police as Bordan, was questioned at the scene. Phuket Tourist Police confirmed that Bordan holds a valid work permit issued by the Phuket Provincial Employment Office on April 2. This permit allows him to work for Thai Dream Co Ltd as a manager and coordinator for foreign customers in the tourism business.

Officers verified that Thai Dream Co Ltd is legally registered and possesses a tourism business licence. At the time of the inspection, Nusayati, a 20 year old Thai national, was working as a salesperson at the kiosk, according to Phuket Tourist Police.

 

“All relevant individuals were asked to come to Karon Police Station for clarification.

 

“Officers will coordinate with the Phuket Provincial Employment Office to clarify the scope of work for the foreign workers involved. If any violations are found, legal action will be taken.”

 

The Tourist Police hotline at 1155 is available for people to report any suspicions of foreigners engaging in illegal activities, reported Phuket News.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Phuket News

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-10-11

 

 

[MikeandDow]

On 10/10/2024 at 4:40 PM, black tabby12345 said:

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Thailand's No-Foreigners Business list according to the Foreign Business Act 1999:

1. The Press, radio broadcasting station or radio and television station business
2. Rice farming, plantation or crop growing
3. Livestock farming
4. Forestry and timber processing from a natural forest
5. Fishery, only in respect of the catchment of aquatic animals in Thai waters and specific economic zones of Thailand
6. Extraction of Thai medicinal herbs
7. Trading and auction sale of antique objects of Thailand or objects of historical value of the country .
8. Making or casting Buddha images and monk alms-bowls
9. Land trading

As far as seen from that lists, Tour Operator is not included.

Can they still expect the intervention of Thai govt while they are not violating any laws?

 

If any expert among the readers, please share your knowledge.

I am no expert to this topic.

 

Business Activities That Foreigners Cannot Be Permitted to Do in Thailand – MSNA Group

that is not a official list underlined is what they can not do

Under Thai Law foreigners are prohibited to engage in any of the following occupations

• Manual work
• Work in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery excluding specialized work in each particular branch or farm supervision
• Bricklaying, carpentry or other construction works
• Wood carving
• Driving mechanically propelled carried or driving non-mechanically-propelled vehicle, excluding international aircraft piloting
• Shop attendance
• Auction
• Supervising, auditing or giving service in accountancy excluding internal auditing on occasions
• Cutting or polishing jewelry
• Haircutting, hairdressing or beauty treatment
• Cloth weaving by hand
• Weaving of mate or making products from reeds, rattan, hemp, straw or bamboo pellicle
• Making of Sa paper by hand
• Lacquer ware making
• Making of Thai musical instrument
• Niello ware making
• Making of products from gold, silver or gold-copper alloy
• Bronze ware making
• Making of Thai dolls
• Making of mattress or quilt blanket
• Alms bowls casting
• Making of silk products by hand
• Casting of Buddha images
• Knife making
• Making of paper of cloth umbrella
• Shoemaking
• Hat Making
• Brokerage or agency excluding brokerage or agency in international trade business
• Engineering work in civil engineering branch concerning designing and calculation, organization, research, planning, testing, construction supervision or advising excluding specialized work
• Architectural work concerning designing, drawing of plan, estimating, construction directing or advising
• Garments making
• Pottery or ceramic ware making
• Cigarette making by hand
• Guide or conducting sightseeing tours
• Street Vending
• Type setting of Thai characters by hand
• Drawing and twisting silk-thread by hand
• Office or secretarial work
• Legal or lawsuit services

[MikeandDow]

On 10/10/2024 at 1:11 PM, CLW said:

Is selling tours illegal for foreigners?

yes it is street vending which is reserved occupation for Thai only

[MikeandDow]

On 10/10/2024 at 11:42 AM, Richardsamui said:

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.

This is incorrect  selling is called street vending which is only job for Thais

[metisdead]

A troll post and a reply has been removed.

[Kino]

Soon there won't be any places in Thailand left where you can avoid Russian schemers.

 

Because self-sufficiency means bending over (further and further) for every drunk Russian charlatan.

 

Great work, Thailand. This year I'll vacation in a different country. Thanks.

Edited October 11 by Kino

[Richardsamui]

11 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

This is incorrect  selling is called street vending which is only job for Thais

Mmm. All the paperwork seems in order. The Thai person is the sales woman. He is a manager. Officially he is not selling...

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A 23-second video posted online sparked outrage, with netizens criticising foreigners for allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens.