Irish, Brazilian, Israeli Musicians Arrested in Pai for Working Without Permits

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities have arrested four foreign musicians for performing without work permits at a restaurant in Pai, in Mae Hong Son province. The arrests come amid increasing concerns from local residents about the impact of foreign visitors on their community.

 

A joint operation involving Immigration Police Region 5 Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son Provincial Police, the Mae Hong Son Employment Office, and the Internal Security Command raided Jazz House Pai in Wiang Tai subdistrict on the evening of 13 February, shortly before 22:00. The raid followed reports that the venue regularly hosted unauthorised foreign performers.

 

According to complaints, the restaurant frequently featured three foreign bands:

 

• Walk the Dog 2 (7:00–8:00 PM)

• Pink Fraud (8:00–9:30 PM)

• Mizu and Branda (9:30–10:30 PM)

 

During the raid, officers discovered four foreign musicians performing on stage. The suspects attempted to escape through the back of the venue but were quickly apprehended.

 

The arrested individuals were identified as:

 

• Mr Brian (Ireland, lead singer and guitarist)

• Mr Matheus (Brazil, bass guitarist)

• Mr Yishay (Israel, drummer)

• Mr Shay (Israel, guitarist)

 

All four were charged with working without valid permits and failing to report their employment details within the mandatory 15-day period. The venue owner is also facing charges for employing unauthorised foreign workers.

 

This enforcement action follows a January meeting between the Mae Hong Son Immigration Office and Pai community leaders, during which residents raised concerns about the increasing number of unauthorised foreign workers and the impact on local tourism.

 

Officials have encouraged residents to report suspected cases of illegal employment involving foreign nationals, with the exception of workers from neighbouring countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

 

Local representatives have urged authorities to prioritise community well-being over purely economic considerations, expressing particular concerns about tourism activities that benefit business operators while disrupting local life. Immigration officials have pledged to address these issues in coordination with other relevant agencies.

 

-- 2025-02-15

 

 

[ikke1959]

Pai.. not the place to be for foreigners.. now musicians, a few months back the rafting because people weren't wearing a proper outfit and now what will be next? Avoiding the place is better

[JoePai]

Are they really getting paid or just jamming for fun ?

[kingstonkid]

3 hours ago, JoePai said:

Are they really getting paid or just jamming for fun ?

The problem is that they really do not care. It is a business, and Farang are doing something to help the business.

 

An example I was part of was a gf owned a restaurant in Pats.  I went to take my plates to get washed, and she blew a gasket because the people in the next shop were probably going to call the police and complain that I was working there.

[Blueman1]

39 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

The problem is that they really do not care. It is a business, and Farang are doing something to help the business.

 

An example I was part of was a gf owned a restaurant in Pats.  I went to take my plates to get washed, and she blew a gasket because the people in the next shop were probably going to call the police and complain that I was working there.

Happened to a Friend of mine in Pats Years Ago He Served a Glass of Orange Juice to a Customer at his WIFES Bar......Only the Customer was a Lady Immigration Officer !! & It Was " Walk This Way my Man " Straight to Immigration Detention for 7 Days....He Never got Deported as his WIFE Paid a BIG Fine to get him released !!

[Taboo2]

Is Pai turning into an official "Sh&****e?

[thenewgoo]

Not this again! They were doing this in Chiang Mai a few years back - 20,000 baht fine each. Everything back to normal now.

[TheFishman1]

For musicians playing at restaurant oy vey  TIT

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

All four were charged with working without valid permits and failing to report their employment details within the mandatory 15-day period. The venue owner is also facing charges for employing unauthorised foreign workers.

Good...

[ujayujay]

8 hours ago, JoePai said:

Are they really getting paid or just jamming for fun ?

That doesn't matter. In order to perform, you need a work permit, otherwise public music-making is only permitted for Thais!

[BonnieandClyde]

4 hours ago, ujayujay said:

That doesn't matter. In order to perform, you need a work permit, otherwise public music-making is only permitted for Thais!

That's true.

Some years back there was a group of farangs in Chiang Mai who would meet up as an informal group to sing and strum guitars in restaurants that welcomed them.

They faced increasing harassment from self-righteous prigs - many on the CM forums - who seemed to take pleasure in tormenting them with threats of grassing them to Immigration.