I see these people all over phuket and who knows maybe they are everywhere in Thailand ??? They are around every night and always selling the same stuff to dumb tourists. Anybody know if they need a permit for this street trading or how it works??

Permit! Guys, here's one who said "permit" in relation to being able to do something in Thailand !!

Yes, they do need a street permit to sell, at least in Patong! When I worked as a police volunteer in Bangla Road, the latest hilltribe recruits would run as soon as they saw me - until their experienced colleagues presumably told them that the foreign TPVs were not a threat.. But the Tessaban guys in their red pickup certainly did go after them every evening, presumably picking up a few 'permit' fees along the way

Simon

Yes, they do need a street permit to sell, at least in Patong! When I worked as a police volunteer in Bangla Road, the latest hilltribe recruits would run as soon as they saw me - until their experienced colleagues presumably told them that the foreign TPVs were not a threat.. But the Tessaban guys in their red pickup certainly did go after them every evening, presumably picking up a few 'permit' fees along the way

Simon

Nice work Simon...seems to me that the whole thing is organised and they work on commission ?

The hilltribe at times seem like a plague of locust here in CM. They peddle anything from knock off Viagra to wooden frogs as well as the beggar routine with a rent a baby on their back. Never see the police approach them so doubt that a permit is required.

It's like everything else, it's an organised business, run my business people, permitting on official and/or unofficial levels would be required.

In Patong, it almost seems like a game between the Tessaban and the sellers. The sellers flee as soon as they see the Tessaban guys, but those unlucky to be caught are not physically restrained but walk without struggle and sit in the back of the Tessaban pick-up whilst the driver and crew go off to 'catch' more sellers. When the pick-up is full, they drive away, only to return perhaps one hour later, the sellers are 'released' and the whole process starts again.

It's rather like playing 'tag' when you were a schoolkid.

It's certainly possible to obtain a street-seller licence in Patong, but I assume these hilltribe sellers prefer to be more 'mobile', mingling amonst the tourists in the bars.

BTW, what is it with the wooden frogs? Do they really sell that well?

Simon

BTW, what is it with the wooden frogs? Do they really sell that well?

if there is any knick-knack that's worth it's weight in wood, it's the wooden frogs. kids love them, adults love them. i even have a 12" frog by the front door. and fwiw, i've never had anyone walking the streets try and sell me a wooden frog. they are harmless and they sell to tourists like grits on a sunday morning in Alabama!