Foreigner Sparks Outrage for Doing Thai-Only Job in Phuket

[Theforgotten1]

I think President Trump should deport any Thais doing jobs Americans can do 

[Mason45]

Many years ago I went to my step daughters cafe in Bangkok for a drink. She was very busy so I started washing her plates etc to help her out. A few minutes later a Thai lady ripped into my step daughter for allowing me to work in her cafe. So I gave the lady the scouring pad and said to her it's all yours bitch.

[kimothai]

So what?  We've had foreign tax advisors advising foreigners about Thai tax law which is an occupation reserved for Thai people only.  This has been going on for more than a year without any impunity that I'm aware of nor have I heard of any outrage from the Thais.  Foreign prostates also seem to operate without impunity and nobody seems outraged. Mai bpen rai

[ChrisKC]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

"Farang" is a Thai word that is used to refer to foreigners, particularly those of European descent.

 

It can also be used as a general term for any non-Thai person.

Incorrect-  on Both counts

[ikke1959]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

If a foreigner has any sort of specialty when it comes to massage, such as sports therapy or a understanding of anatomy it would be a huge plus for someone like this to be able to practice. There are very few time masseuses that have a true understanding of anatomy. Perhaps it's time for some meaningful reform of the laws? 

I am fully qualified but I am not Thai... I got an education as a sportsmasseur and have a lot of experience. The course took 2 years and was in Latin, and besides massage also educated in nutrition, diets, taking care before and after sports, trainingsschedule and sporthistory...but massage is only for Thais

[terryq]

Must be a complete misunderstanding.

 

 It will turn out that the foreigner was only trying to teach the Thai a nursery rhyme.

 

" This little piggy went to market

this little piggy stayed at home

this little piggy ...." etc etc

 

 

[ikke1959]

54 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

Thais are too lazy to work. Thailand is too conservative.  Thai laws are there to hold their hands not put them to work. Thai laws need to be updated so I the sportsmasseur can work. My only comment is that if you feel your skills are being wasted staying here, then return to your home country. I'm sure your home country has regulations on who can legally work as a sportsmasseur. 

I am fully qualified but I am not Thai... I got an education as a sportsmasseur and have a lot of experience. The course took 2 years and was in Latin, and besides massage also educated in nutrition, diets, taking care before and after sports, trainingsschedule and sporthistory...but massage is only for Thais... I think I know more about the human body than the average Thai masseur

 

•  

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, ChrisKC said:

Incorrect-  on Both counts

Oh...in that it's roots are Persian....so it's not a Thai word as such?

[ChrisKC]

5 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Oh...in that it's roots are Persian....so it's not a Thai word as such?

It is true that the word farang is derived from the French word for foreigner in general terms but...

 

From a Thai perspective, "farangs" are white - wherever they come from!

 

Indian, Chinese, Middle-Eastern, or any black person is not a farang - wherever they come from.

[Kaopad999]

What a plonker.. 

[Hunz Kittisak]

I thot currently these jobs are mostly done by foreigners already, no? 
The Laotians, Cambodians and the Burmese 

[mran66]

You must be seriously narrow minded and  unaware of world outside Thailand to be worried about farang taking over thai foot massage jobs. 

 

Understand someone jokingly doing that, but I doubt many would be brave enough to insult pride of thai people to try to take those jobs that thai netizens value so highly

[Olav Seglem]

People go where get best service.

If that at thais they will go to thais.

If not......... 🙂

 

[CCesar]

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Like it or not the law is the law and this foreigner is breaking it.

You are correct, and we should consider ourselves lucky to be in a Country with law abiding citizens, right.

[CCesar]

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Like it or not the law is the law and this foreigner is breaking it.

right, in a country with law abiding citizens!

[CCesar]

Amazing how people have the time hunting down foreigners taking pictures and movies breaking the law or whatever, but I guess its called news, or is it simply to make foreigners feel welcome?

[nickmondo]

thats one happy ending i dont want

[AgMech Cowboy]

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I am a sportsmasseur too

If you have certification as a Neuromuscular Therapy, then you can advertise that specialty in Thailand.  Yes, it does involve manipulation of muscles and ligaments, but it's not the same as a massage.  If I were such a specialist, I'd be checking to see if it's restricted, because I do not believe that it is.

[Beerzy65]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

video screenshot

 

A recent video showing a foreigner doing the work of a masseur at a spa in Phuket has ignited a storm of controversy across Thailand, highlighting a sensitive issue around employment laws reserved for Thai nationals.

 

Captured on a bustling street in Patong, the video portrays a foreign man engaging in duties that many argue should be strictly off-limits to expatriates under Thai law. This footage, widely circulated on social media, has drawn a torrent of criticism and calls for enforcement of existing regulations.

 

Thailand's Emergency Decree on Foreigners' Work Management, enacted in 2017, clearly stipulates that certain occupations are exclusively for Thais.

 

This includes roles deeply embedded in Thai culture, like traditional masseurs, woodcarvers, street vendors, and several others. Such restrictions aim to preserve what is often referred to as "Thai wisdom" and protect employment for local citizens.

 

The viral video has led to an outpouring of reactions online. Critics of the foreign masseur argue that allowing non-nationals to step into these roles undermines the integrity and economic prospects of local Thai workers.

 

One concerned netizen remarked that, "This sets a dangerous precedent if left unchecke, soon Thai traditions might face gradual dilution."

 

However, some locals suggest there is a deeper issue at play. The challenge of enticing Thai nationals to fill these traditional roles has been spotlighted, with business owners facing hurdles due to high demands for wages and specific working conditions from Thai candidates.

 

An observer noted, "It's not just about foreigners taking jobs—it's also about the evolving aspirations of our own workforce."

 

Statistics from last year underline this issue; the Employment Department uncovered 721 instances of foreigners engaged in prohibited professions, encompassing tasks from vending to hairdressing.

 

The law enforces strict penalties for such violations. Foreigners caught working in these roles can face fines up to 50,000 Thai Baht (approximately £1,100) and deportation.

 

Employers risk far heftier consequences, including fines reaching 200,000 Thai Baht (around £4,500), potential imprisonment, and a three-year prohibition from hiring foreign workers, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-02-06

 

 

Jeez just washing his partners feet ffs

[Beerzy65]

Just now, Beerzy65 said:

Jeez just washing his partners feet ffs

 

[Purdey]

Keeping some jobs for Thais is fine as they are usually low-cost jobs. Why a foreigner would want to massage people's feet is a mystery. 

Every country requires work permits for foreigners to work in local jobs even though some like Thailand restrict work.

[Wrwest]

10 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Can you imagine how conservative the country is.. Several Thais are too lazy to work so they need Burmese and Cambodian people for jobs they can do but are low paid and no Thai want to do it.. I am a sportsmasseur too but as massage is only job allowed for Thai I can't do it here ... Outdated laws must be updated. It will put people to work instead of holding their hands up and opening coffeeshops and minishops that don't earn anything...Protectionism is always way to hold the economy back

Sorry, just an observation. I have heard the same concerning immigrants taking jobs in my own country. Just raises a question in my mind if all countries have similar laws, I do know that anti-immigrant laws have a long history in the USA.

[BangkokReady]

4 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I actually wonder whether he is working for wages, or just messing about as a one off joke. I can’t see it being a long term occupation for a farang here

 

That was my immediate thought.  Unfortunately, the media (and AN users) care little about the truth.

[nrasmussen]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

The viral video has led to an outpouring of reactions online. Critics of the foreign masseur argue that allowing non-nationals to step into these roles undermines the integrity and economic prospects of local Thai workers.

 

So how do these critics know that he is not a Thai national?

[oldestswinger]

Outrage! lol

[Jonathan Swift]

5 hours ago, Andytheburiramman said:

So Indians, Africans and Russians can openly work as prostitutes here in Thailand, but when it comes to massaging feet they are shocked 😳 

yes. Why, is that a problem?

[parallelman]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

'...it's also about the evolving aspirations of our own workforce."

Must say I haven't heard that one before (in Thailand, that is) Overdoing it a bit?

[sikishrory]

Storm my butt.

Went to work today no farang massage storm.

In real world people are happy.

Storms like this only exist online.

[Caldera]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Such restrictions aim to preserve what is often referred to as "Thai wisdom"

 

Say no more. 

[scorecard]

8 hours ago, ronster said:

What if he said he was doing Swedish massage not Thai 🤔😀

 

Yawn...